To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18802 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will provide information on the number and percentage of applicants for public appointments who declared any political activity.

The information requested is not available. All applications for public appointments are considered very carefully against the criteria for the appointment in question. As the political activity declaration makes clear, neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment. Information on the political activities of applicants is not collated centrally. The Commissioner for Public Appointments does not require this information. Most applications are retained for only a very short period and then destroyed.