§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the people appointed to ad hoc posts within her Department bearing the titles of advocate, tsar, adviser, champion and comparable titles since May 1997; what their job title is or was; what their role is or was; whether they were or are being paid; what the total cost of each such person was in each financial year, including expenses and benefits; what the expected cost of each such person is in 2003–04; to whom they are accountable; and if she will make a statement. [112459]
§ Alun MichaelDefra came into being in June 2001 and the following information relates to the period since then.
The Secretary of State has two Special Advisers: Sheila Watson and Nicci Collins.
The Department employs an Environmental Adviser, who reports to the Director for Environment Protection Strategy. This post was held by Peter Madden until 2002 and is now held by Stephen Hale.
The above are paid appointments. Under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of individual salaries are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. All of these appointees are or were accountable to Ministers for their decisions and actions.
Ewen Cameron, who is also Chair of the Countryside Agency, is the Rural Advocate, arguing the case on countryside issues and for rural people at the highest levels in Government and outside. While this role has no formal line of accountability Sir Ewen works closely with the Minister of State for Rural Affairs on a range of issues of rural proofing and also has access to the Secretary of State and other senior members of Government.
Dr Chris Fay holds the title Emissions Trading Champion. Reporting to the Director for Climate, Energy and Environmental Risk, he assisted the Government in recruiting participants to the UK's voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme launched in April 2002, and plays a role in communicating with business on emissions trading issues.
505WLord Haskins acted as Rural Recovery Co-ordinator during the latter part of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001. His role was to help local authorities and other agencies plan for the economic recovery of Cumbria, and to consider what lessons were also applicable to other areas affected by the outbreak. Lord Haskins began work on 14 August 2001 and reported to me in October 2001.
These roles are or were all unpaid.