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Pre-Appointment Hearings inquiry

Inquiry

Since 2008 the Government's preferred candidate for certain important public appointments have been subject to pre-appointment hearings with the relevant Select Committee prior to Ministers confirming the appointment. Since the current process was agreed the 2016 "Grimstone reforms" increased Ministers's powers in making appointments and reduced the role of the independent Commissioner of Public Appointments. There have also been several contentious hearings when Committees have recommended against Minister's appointments. This inquiry is therefore asking whether the principles and practice underpinning Pre-Appointment hearings need to be updated to reflect developments since 2008.

The Committee welcomes submissions on:

The implications of the weakening of the formal powers of the Commissioner of Public Appointments following the Grimstone Review for the purposes and practice of pre-appointment hearings;
Whether Parliamentary procedure should be strengthened to ensure that prior to confirming an appointment despite a negative Committee report that Ministers properly consider the Committee's recommendation and account to Parliament for their decision to set it aside?
Whether the list of appointments subject to pre-appointment hearings should be updated or expanded? and
How the pre-appointment hearing process can contribute to increasing the diversity of public appointments?

Work news

Ministers should need Commons vote to override Committee recommendations on pre-appointment hearings

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee report recommends vote should be needed to override concerns over appointment

17 September 2018

Cabinet Office Minister discusses pre-appointment hearings

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee questions Oliver Dowden MP

Committee Chairs discuss pre-appointment hearings

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee questions the Chairs of the Treasury and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committees

Commissioner for Public Appointments questioned

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee explores pre-appointment hearings

Submissions wanted on Pre-Appointment Hearings

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee launches inquiry into pre-appointment hearings

Contact us

Email: pacac@parliament.uk
Phone: 020 7219 3268 (general enquiries) | 07523 800011 (media enquiries)
Address: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA