§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 23 February (WA 37), how many of the consultants and advisers employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are former civil servants; and, of those, how many were previously employed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Department for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs. [HL4720]
§ Lord WhittyThe information requested cannot be provided as the department does not keep records of the employment of staff after they leave the department. The criteria for the selection of professional service providers in Defra are eligibility, economic and financial standing, and the ability and technical capacity to provide the services required at best whole life cost.