I am pleased to announce that I have appointed my right hon. Friend, the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Alun Michael) to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

My right hon. Friend takes up appointment as the Labour party nominee in succession to the right hon. Baroness Jay of Paddington. His appointment was effective from 1 October 2006, and is for three years in the first instance.

I would like to thank Baroness Jay for her significant contribution to the work of the Committee.