To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many reports he has received from the Competition Commission in each year since its inception; how many gave rise to Government action; what the subject matter was of each; and if he will make a statement. (80409)

The Department has received the following reports from the Competition Commission in each of the years since its inception:

I will write separately setting out the subject matter of each case and whether action was taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is responsible for appointments to the Competition Commission; whether posts are advertised; how many persons applied for each post currently held; how many were shortlisted for interview; and if he will make a statement. (80410)

Appointments to the Competition Commission are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. In the case of the chair, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister must be consulted.

Posts are advertised. The only occasion when this has not been done was the recent appointment of the current chair. Following the sudden death of the previous chair, the senior deputy chair was appointed to the post of chair without a competition. This was done with the agreement of OCPA.

With respect to the other posts, the figures are as follows:

Deputy chairs: 81 applications, 6 interviewed, 2 appointed

CEO: 60 applicants, 7 interviewed

Panel members: 283 applicants, 60 interviewed, 24 appointed.

The figures for the panel members relate to the last recruitment round in 2004-05.