§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the report of a child abuse scandal in the Evening Standard on 12 April, they consider that the procedures for vetting and appointing those persons responsible for giving advice on matters such as child adoption are sufficiently robust. [HL2261]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathIndividuals are invited to become members of departmental advisory groups because their expertise and experience are considered to be sufficiently wide and relevant to enable them to make an effective contribution to the particular study. Many appointees to such committees are already known to the department and hold senior positions in their respective fields as practitioners, senior managers, academics etc. However, those members whose work includes substantial contact with children will have been subject to police and other employment checks. Since therefore their appointment to an advisory group is made with the support of employers,230WA it is unlikely that an employer would agree an appointment where they had concerns about an individual's suitability. An appointment would not be countenanced by the department where information about a candidate could compromise its work, nor, should any information come to light after the appointment is made, would an individual remain an adviser to the department.