Written question asked by Lord Jopling (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006.

Rural Payments Agency

Question: Who took the decision to dismiss the chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency in view of the statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 March (HC Deb, col. 552) that she removed the chief executive and the statement by the Lord Bach on 30 March (HL Deb, col. 919) that the Permanent Secretary took the decision.

Answer: The position is best reflected in the following extract from the Written Statement made by my right honourable friend the Member for Derby South on 16 March, which was repeated in this House by my noble friend Lord Bach (col. WS 101):"““I have concluded that urgent action is needed to strengthen the leadership of the agency. With my approval, the Permanent Secretary of my department, Helen Ghosh, has today appointed Mark Addison as acting chief executive in place of Johnston McNeill””."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 682 c166WA; 5349
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Rural Payments Agency
Thursday, 30 March 2006
Proceeding contributions
House of Lords; Rural Payments Agency
Monday, 27 March 2006
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons; Rural Payments Agency
Monday, 27 March 2006
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons; Common Agricultural Policy: Single Payment Scheme
Thursday, 16 March 2006
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Dismissal Senior civil servants Rural Payments Agency
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk