1 Introduction
1. In 2008, the Liaison Committee and the Government
agreed a process for departmental select committees to undertake
pre-appointment hearings in which they examine the suitability
of the Government's preferred candidate for certain public posts.
The purpose is to test the individual's independence and expertise,
consider any potential conflicts of interest and explore how the
individual intends to undertake the job, including his or her
accountability to the Committee.[1]
2. Select committees do not have the power to veto
appointments. However, the Minister is expected to consider relevant
observations before proceeding with an appointment.[2]
3. The pre-appointment hearing for the posts of Pensions
Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman (held by the same
individual) falls within the remit of the Work and Pensions Committee.[3]
4. On 15 October 2014 the Minister for Pensions informed
us that Tony King, the current Pensions Ombudsman and Pension
Protection Fund Ombudsman, would be stepping down in spring 2015.[4]
He set out the recruitment exercise that would be followed to
select the new Ombudsman and invited us to undertake pre-appointment
scrutiny of the preferred candidate, in accordance with the agreed
arrangements. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched
the recruitment process on 29 November 2014. The Minister notified
us of the name of the preferred candidate on 3 February 2015.
5. In announcing the selection process, DWP also
indicated that a recruitment exercise would be undertaken for
the post of Deputy Pensions Ombudsman (and Deputy Pension Protection
Fund Ombudsman). This is a part-time role and is not subject to
a pre-appointment hearing. [5]
1 Liaison Committee, First Report of Session 2007-08,
Pre-appointment hearings by select committees, HC 384; and First
Special Report of Session 2007-08, Pre-appointment hearings by select committees: Government Response to the Committee's First Report of Session 2007-08,
HC 594 Back
2
Liaison Committee guidelines for select committees holding pre-appointment hearings,
27 November 2013, para 5 Back
3
Cabinet Office Guidance: pre-appointment scrutiny by House of Commons select committees,
November 2011, p 11. The other post which falls within the Committee's
remit is the Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee.
Back
4
Letter to the Chair of the Committee from the Minister for Pensions,
15 October 2014 Back
5
DWP Press release, 17 October 2014, "DWP to recruit new Pensions
Ombudsman and Deputy Pensions Ombudsman". See also Pensions
Ombudsman Service 'Our team', accessed 13 January 2015 Back
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