Tony Clements

Mr. Tyrie
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 656W, on Tony Clements, whether Mr. Clements was appointed to the post as Policy Adviser through a process of open competition; whether the job vacancy filled by Mr. Clements was advertised on the public part of the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway; and whether his position is subject to standard Civil Service terms and conditions.

Barbara Follett
Mr. Clements was recruited through a fixed-term appointment, under one of the permitted exceptions for fair and open competition contained in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles. There is no automatic requirement to advertise such appointments through open competition or on the public part of the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway, and this post was not advertised through either route. This position is subject to standard Civil Service terms and conditions.