Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 22 September 2021.
I have to say, Llywydd, I do note a note of desperation to find something to pick a quarrel with. This is not a quarrel, this is good news. In 2019 we agreed, the Llywydd and the First Minister—this is also a parliamentary responsibility. Pre-appointment hearings of course are now available and they have taken place when an appointment has been made of a chair of a significant body, to ensure that that transparency can take place. I think it is important that, perhaps, the committees that have been involved in those pre-appointment hearings can share their experience, because it has been very valuable. The committee has to publish a report within 48 hours of the hearing setting out its view on the candidate's suitability. But also, this is something that is about improving—and I'm grateful for your comment in support of the diversity and inclusion programme—the diversity of public leaders in Wales. Holding pre-appointment hearings is quite significant and it does reassure people that these appointments are not—I've mentioned the great and the good, and they're not jobs for the boys, either.