To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2007, Official Report, column 1246W, on departments: dismissal, what the reasons were for the summary dismissal of the three members of staff without allegations of misconduct or written warnings; and what procedures were followed in those dismissals. (152078)

All three dismissals were on the grounds of poor performance, following the DFID performance appraisal process at that time and in line with the terms of their contracts. In all cases, DFID sought legal advice before the decision to dismiss.

Since 1 October 2004, all our employees are governed by the statutory dismissal, discipline and grievance procedures introduced under the Employment Act (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004.