§ Mr. Kevan JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the(a) individuals invited for interview by the NHS Appointments Commission for the post of chair of the North Durham NHS Trust and (b) reasons for their selection for interview;[R] [11983]
2. which (a) individuals and (b) organisations were consulted by the NHS Appointments Commission on the appointment of the chair of the North Durham NHS Trust; and if he will publish their comments;[R] [11984]
3. what reasons were given by the NHS Appointments Commission for not reappointing Mr. Kevin Earley to the post of chair of the North Durham NHS Trust. [R] [11985]
§ Ms BlearsAppointment of chairs of national health service trusts is the responsibility of the NHS Appointments Commission. The appointments process they follow has been published and has been approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. It is an open and transparent process but rightly protects the identity of individual candidates and the assessment of their performance at interview or elsewhere. I understand that the Appointments Commission drew the advertisements for this appointment to the attention of local hon. Members and local authorities, but in accordance with their agreed procedures, did not consult on the appointment.