HC Deb 02 November 2001 vol 373 cc865-6W
Peter Bottomley

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) when the Commission(a) decided and (b) announced that a Commissioner for Standards would not necessarily be invited to accept a first re-appointment without open competition; [11111]

(2) when the conclusions of the studies of staff overloading in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner were sent to the (a) Commission and (b) the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges. [11109]

Mr. Kirkwood

On(a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 May 2001, Official Report, columns 640–41W. On (b) staffing issues are a matter for the House of Commons Commission: no official report on the staffing of the Commissioner's office has been made to the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Peter Bottomley

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commissioner will seek the views of the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the timing and substance of their decisions on open competition for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. [11112]

Mr. Kirkwood

The appointment of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is not within the remit of the Commission for Public Appointments. However, the House of Commons Commission is applying the general principles set out by the Commission for Public Appointments, so far as they are applicable to the circumstances of this appointment.

Peter Bottomley

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the advertisement for the post of Commissioner for Standards will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [11177]

Mr. Kirkwood

The House of Commons Commission has agreed that an advertisement should appear in the national press on Sunday 4 November. A copy will be placed in the Library.

Peter Bottomley

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission(a) decided and (b) told the Commissioner for Standards that she would be invited to re-apply for her post. [11110]

Mr. Kirkwood

The matter was considered by the Commission on 15 October. The Commissioner was told of its decision the next day.

Peter Bottomley

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when, and by what means, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was consulted about possible re-appointment; and what advice he was given about the nature of the competition. [11495]

Mr. Kirkwood

The first Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Sir Gordon Downey, indicated before the expiration of his term that he intended to retire. The matter did not therefore arise.