§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) who draws up the criteria used by the Independent Appointments Commission to appoint the chairmen of primary care trusts; [34483]
(2) what independent references are sought before appointing the chairmen of primary care trusts; [34485]
(3) what independent assessment is made of the accuracy of biographical details supplied by candidates for the chairmanship of primary care trusts. [34486]
§ Ms BlearsThe criteria for all appointments to National Health Service Boards are determined by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Two references are sought from all new candidates for appointment and are taken up before an appointment is made. Where candidates are serving NHS board members new references are not sought, but interview panels take into account an appraisal of each candidate's performance in post. No independent assessment is made of the accuracy of curricula vitae provided by candidates. However, all candidates are required to sign a declaration acknowledging the fact that if they are appointed and the information they have provided is subsequently found to be untrue, then their tenure of office may be terminated.