HC Deb 28 February 1956 vol 549 cc986-7
22. Mr. Lindgren

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what alteration has been made in the terms of appointment, and period of appointment of chairmen and members of new town development corporations.

Mr. Sandys

There has been no change in the general terms of appointment.

The periods of appointment have in the past varied from time to time and from place to place; and it seemed to me that some measure of uniformity was desirable.

Accordingly, when making appointments my present practice is to invite all new members to serve for an initial period of not less than two years, and to review the composition of the corporations annually.

Mr. Lindgren

Is the Minister aware that an impression has been gained that the appointments are for twelve months and then on a month-to-month basis? Is it not likely to detract from the opportunity of securing good people if they are to be appointed on a month-to-month basis?

Mr. Sandys

I know nothing about a month-to-month basis.

23. Mr. Lindgren

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many members of the Stevenage Development Corporation were in office on 2nd January, 1956.

Mr. Sandys

Eight.

Mr. Lindgren

In this case again, is it not a fact that no members of the Stevenage Development Corporation were in office on 2nd January and that, in order to keep the corporation in being, members had to be appointed for two months, their service having come to an end on 31st December? Does not that show inefficiency in the Minister's Department in the making and renewing of appointments?

Mr. Sandys

I think that the hon. Member is wrong. There were eight. There have been at all times members properly appointed to the corporation. What happened in this case—but it happened at a later date than that referred to in the Question—was that there was some delay in getting the new members it was desired to appoint. There was some delay in obtaining their reactions to the invitation, and I wanted to give the local authorities concerned ample time for their observations. Therefore, after writing to the local authorities to find out whether they had any objection, I extended the period of the whole corporation for two months to give them sufficient time to consider new appointments.