Pre-appointment hearing for the Government's preferred nominee for Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency Regulation Committee - Communities and Local Government Committee Contents


1  Pre-appointment hearings

1. Government proposals for pre-appointment hearings were set out in the 2007 Green Paper The Governance of Britain. The Government sought to "involve Parliament in the appointment of key public officials" to "positions in which Parliament has a particularly strong interest because the officeholder exercises statutory or other powers in relation to protecting the public's rights and interests".[1] The paper continued:

The hearing would be non-binding, but in light of the report from the committee, Ministers would decide whether to proceed. The hearings would cover issues such as the candidate's suitability for the role, his or her key priorities, and the process used in selection.[2]

2. The Liaison Committee subsequently produced a set of guidelines to ensure pre-appointment hearings are conducted appropriately, and in order to "maintain an appointments process which is proportionate and continues to attract high-quality candidates".[3] The Liaison Committee also consulted with select committee chairs on which posts should be subject to such hearings.[4]


1   Ministry of Justice, The Governance of Britain, Cm 7170, July 2007, p 28 Back

2   Ministry of Justice, The Governance of Britain, Cm 7170, July 2007, p 29 Back

3   House of Commons Liaison Committee, First Report of Session 2007-08, Pre-appointment hearings by select committees, HC 384, March 2008 Back

4   House of Commons Liaison Committee, First Report of Session 2007-2008, Pre-appointment hearings by select committees, HC 384, March 2008, para 11 and Annex B Back


 
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Prepared 24 November 2011