§ Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the appointment of the Chairman of the Independent Football Commission will be made. [6448]
§ Tessa JowellThe Government have agreed to the request from the football authorities to appoint the first chairman of the Independent Football Commission—the new self-regulatory body which they are establishing. The process of appointing the chairman is being conducted in the open and transparent manner that applies to public appointments. An independent public appointments advisory panel was convened to consider the applications which had been received by the Department for this post. The panel has made its recommendations to me. I am currently considering them. I therefore hope to make an announcement on the appointment shortly. I shall place a copy of any announcement I make on this issue in the Libraries of both Houses.