HC Deb 10 April 1968 vol 762 cc1347-8
10. Mr. Doig

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the manner in which the officials of the East of Scotland Water Board were appointed; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

According to my information the Board followed the proper procedures in making these appointments.

Mr. Doig

Is my hon. Friend aware that at this appointment meeting the chairman insisted on a ballot vote, and while the ballot papers were being marked he proceeded to talk in favour of one of the applicants? Is he further aware that after the results of the first vote were declared—it was not a decisive vote being eleven, nine, one, and one—there was then a motion made, and accepted by the large majority of fifteen to seven, that the chairman ought not to use his casting vote in the event of a tie? In spite of this he insisted on using his casting vote.

Dr. Mabon

I know that this is not the happiest story in the many discussions that have taken place on water amalgamations. The Board may have taken such a vote but it had no power in statute to do so. The Water (Scotland) Act, 1967, specifically provides that in the event of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a casting vote. I have looked into this matter carefully with my right hon. Friend and my noble Friend, and in the circumstances we believe that the procedures have been per fectly proper, however unhappy some members of the Board may have been about them.