To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recruitment process was used to fill the post of Deputy Director General of HM Prison Service following the retirement of Peter Atherton; where the post was advertised; how many applications were received; what selection criteria were used; and who comprised the selection panel. (195957)

The role of Deputy to the Director General of the Prison Service was re-introduced following the publication of the Prison Service Review in October 1997. The functions of this role are carried out by an existing member of the Prison Service Management Board. It is not, therefore, a separately advertised post.