HL Deb 28 March 2000 vol 611 cc63-4WA
Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect the post of Senior Adviser Ethnic Minorities to be filled; and what has been the cause of delay since the post was advertised in September 1999; and [HL1535]

What procedure has been used in the recruitment process for the post of Senior Adviser Ethnic Minorities; and how many referees candidates are required to provide; and [HL1536]

Whether their Equal Opportunities Policy allows the Cabinet Office to seek references from referees not provided by the applicants; and whether such references are discussed with candidates. [HL1537]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

As part of its response to theModernising Government White Paper, the Cabinet Office instituted an open competition in September 1999 to recruit a Senior Adviser who will work across government departments on taking forward diversity issues in the context of the Civil Service reform agenda. My right honourable friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office is today announcing an appointment to this very important post.

As with all appointments to posts in the Civil Service, the recruitment process used in this case has been selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code, the related guidance on senior recruitment, and the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code as they relate to recruitment.

The Cabinet Office, as the employing department for this appointment, is responsible for completing satisfactory pre-appointment checks, including references, before any formal offer of employment is made. There is no prescribed number of references that candidates are required to provide and references are obtained on the basis that any information provided is treated as strictly confidential.