Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the process used in the recent appointment of the Chairman and Members of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.

The recent appointments to the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland were regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. In accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies, these appointments were made on merit following a fair and open appointments process. All stages of the process were undertaken by a selection panel, which was chaired by a Public Appointments Assessor allocated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and included an independent member.