Question

To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the arrangements were for the selection of the recommended candidate to be Clerk of the House and Chief Executive on each of the last three occasions; and who was on the interviewing board in what capacity on each such occasion.

The composition of the panel for the recruitment of Sir Robert Rogers in 2011 was Mr Speaker, the then Leader of the House (Rt Hon Sir George Young), the then Shadow Leader (Rt Hon Hilary Benn), John Thurso MP, the Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith, the Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle and Sheila Drew Smith. This was – on Mr Speaker’s initiative – the first time that a formal recruitment panel and process was followed.

Selection panels were not held for appointing the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive in 2006 and 2003. On both occasions the retiring Clerk of the House recommended two names as potential successors and the then Mr Speaker decided which candidate to recommend.

The changes in approach to recruitment in 2011, and subsequently in 2014, when the opportunity was opened up to both internal and external applicants, is in line with the House’s policy for fair and open competition in all House of Commons recruitment.

The selection panel decided on the successful candidate by reaching a consensus. The Speaker was Chair of the panel, but did not have a casting vote.