Committee on Standards in Public Life: Defining the boundaries within the Executive: Ministers, Sp…
R9-9
Published April 2003
Response position and delivery status are recorded separately. Acceptance does not establish implementation.
Recommendation (the Committee's words)
(a) The overriding principle of selection on merit, after fair and open competition, should be maintained.
(b) The Civil Service Commissioners should continue to be responsible for ensuring that the merit principle is properly applied within the Civil Service.
(c) To that end, the Commissioners should be granted powers and facilities to investigate, on their own initiative, and to report on the operation of the Civil Service recruitment system as it concerns the application of the principle of selection on merit.
(d) The Civil Service Commissioners should grant further relaxation from the overriding principle of selection on merit only if they are fully satisfied that this is needed for the operational effectiveness of the Civil Service, for example after an investigation using the powers referred to in (c) above.
(e) The present practice whereby one candidate, chosen on merit, is recommended to the Minister should continue for open competition involving outside candidates. (page 38)
(b) The Civil Service Commissioners should continue to be responsible for ensuring that the merit principle is properly applied within the Civil Service.
(c) To that end, the Commissioners should be granted powers and facilities to investigate, on their own initiative, and to report on the operation of the Civil Service recruitment system as it concerns the application of the principle of selection on merit.
(d) The Civil Service Commissioners should grant further relaxation from the overriding principle of selection on merit only if they are fully satisfied that this is needed for the operational effectiveness of the Civil Service, for example after an investigation using the powers referred to in (c) above.
(e) The present practice whereby one candidate, chosen on merit, is recommended to the Minister should continue for open competition involving outside candidates. (page 38)
From: Committee on Standards in Public Life, Defining the boundaries within the Executive: Ministers, Special Advisers and the permanent Civil Service, April 2003