To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria were used to select the new Chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission; and what the remuneration is for that post in 2009-10. (286817)

As the sponsoring Department for the Sustainable Development Commission, DEFRA, on behalf of the Cabinet Office, managed the appointment of the new chair of the Sustainable Development Commission. The process was managed in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) guidelines.

Candidates were required to demonstrate the full range of criteria outlined in the information pack for the post (see OCPA Guidelines Annex A).

All devolved Administrations and the Prime Minister approved the recommended appointment. Remuneration for the SDC chair is £400 per diem. The time input for the position is two to three days per week subject to negotiation.