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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what independent assessment has been made of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's promotion boards for scientific officers. [190381] Mr. Pearson: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's promotion boards for scientific officers are operated under the general arrangements that apply to the conduct of internal promotion boards across the Northern Ireland Civil Service. By agreement with Trade Union Side, these promotion boards are conducted on the basis of three separate scientific disciplines: biology, chemistry and microbiology; and candidates, subject to their qualifications and experience, can self-nominate to be considered for promotion in one or more of these disciplines. The outcome and recommendations of promotion boards generally are not subject to separate independent scrutiny. In its general administration of the promotion process, however, the Department's Personnel Division carries out a review of all promotion board documentation to ensure compliance with the requirements of the process and mathematical accuracy of the scoring applied. These aspects are also subject to periodic checks through the internal audit process.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c386W; 190381

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Career development Recruitment Northern Ireland Executive Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Scientists

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk