Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the operation of the senior management team in the Northern Ireland Office before creating the new Director General post; for what reasons they established the Director General post; and what is the overall cost, including salaries, of the senior management team at the Northern Ireland Office.

The Northern Ireland Office appointed a new Director General to support the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Permanent Secretary at a challenging time for Northern Ireland and the wider UK. The appointment was made in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines and approved by the Civil Service Senior Leadership Committee and Cabinet Secretary. Roles, responsibilities and salaries of the senior management team are published in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts.