To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contractual arrangements the NHS has in place to allow the Commercial Director of the NHS, Chan Wheeler, to participate in the legal actions in which he is involved in the United States of America. (169497)

Mr. Channing Wheeler, Director General, Commercial Directorate, is employed by the Department. He holds a senior civil service contract and is subject to the Department's standard leave policies. Mr. Wheeler has not taken leave to participate in any legal actions since taking up appointment on 18 June 2007. There are no contractual arrangements in place between Mr. Wheeler and the national health service.