Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, on what date the Government Equalities Office informed (a) the Prime Minister's Office and (b) the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work of its decision to appoint Lord Shinkwin as a general commissioner on the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) informed the Prime Minister’s Office of my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State’s decision to appoint Lord Shinkwin as a general commissioner on the day before Lord Shinkwin’s appointment on 21 April 2017.

The appointment of a commissioner under Schedule 1 paragraph 2(3)(a) of the Equality Act 2006 who is or has been a disabled person does not require consultation with or consent from other parties. The GEO did not inform the then Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, my hon. Friend for Portsmouth North, of the decision to appoint Lord Shinkwin.