HC Deb 27 January 2003 vol 398 cc529-30W
Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who was on the short list for the appointment of the Head of English Tourism. [93131]

Dr. Howells

In the interests of confidentiality, we do not release the names of those who apply for DCMS public appointments, including those who are shortlisted. Shortlisting is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who made up the board that has the responsibility to appoint the Head of English Tourism. [93132]

Dr. Howells

The appointment of the Chair of the relaunched tourism body is the responsibility of the Secretary of State, taking into account the advice of an interview panel. It is not our policy to publish the names of interview panel members, in order to avoid the risk of their being subjected to unwarranted pressure.

I can confirm that, in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice, the interview panel included a senior official from DCMS and at least one independent assessor who is not connected with any of the Department's public bodies.

Mr Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what qualifications the new Head of English Tourism has. [93133]

Dr. Howells

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 January 2003 that Sir Michael Lickiss will be the new chairman of the relaunched tourism body from 1 April 2003, this is a British Body. Sir Michael recently retired after four years as the first chairman of the South West England Regional Development Agency. From 2001 he was the lead spokesman for tourism on behalf of all RDA's. Before taking his last appointment in the south west, he was founder President of the Association of Accounting Technicians (1980–82), President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (1990–91), Senior Partner of Grant Thornton (1991–94) and Chairman of the Business Technology and Education Council (BTEC; 1994–2000). He has worked in several countries around the world. He is a Governor of the London School of Economics and he was knighted for his services to his profession in 1993.