HC Deb 02 August 1972 vol 842 cc555-6
28. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he has applied in making appointments to public bodies since he took office.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

When making an appointment to a public body I have regard to any statutory requirements and to the suitability of the person for the post. My object is then to obtain the services of the best available person for the post.

Mr. Ewing

Is the Secretary of State aware that some of the appointments he has made since he came to office have caused widespread concern in Scotland? I refer not merely to the appointment to the Highlands and Islands Development Board: I refer also to the appointment of the Chairman of the Countryside Commission. There is a feeling in Scotland—and it will do the Secretary of State no good to ignore it—that something like "jobs for the boys" is going on. Can the right hon. Gentleman say who recommended the recent appointment to the Highlands and Islands Development Board and what sort of advice he takes in making these appointments?

Mr. Campbell

The appointments should be judged by the results, and the appointments which I have made since coming to office have proved successful. As regards the Chairman of the Countryside Commission, this was the appoint- ment of a lady and it was a very popular appointment. This, too, has been successful. We dealt in an earlier Question with the appointment to the Highlands and Islands Development Board. I expect hon. Members opposite either to eat their words in a year or two's time or wish to forget that they had ever uttered them.

Mr. David Steel

The Secretary of State will know that my right hon. and hon. Friends who represent constituencies in the Highlands and Islands Development Board area have, without reflecting concern on the personal qualities of the individuals concerned, expressed concern about both the appointments he has made. Why does not the right hon. Gentleman think of consulting Members of Parliament, among other people, before making appointments to public bodies?

Mr. Campbell

There is a limit to the amount of consultation one can make, which must be private on occasions like this. However, the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. Russell Johnston), in criticising this appointment, was reported in the Press as advocating a younger person. But at the same time he proposed for this appointment Mr. Shaw Grant, who is 10 years older than the man I have appointed. I am glad that he nevertheless approved of Mr. Shaw Grant because he was one of my appointments of 1½ years ago, all of which were criticised at the time but which have now been approved because they have been successful. Moreover, Mr. Shaw Grant—an admirable appointment of mine of 1½ years ago—is not available for this post because he is full-time Chairman of the Crofters Commission.

Mr. Ross

Since there is a certain amount of concern about this matter, would it not be a good idea if the Secretary of State were to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT all the changes he has made? He will be aware that the Highlands and Islands Development Board is rapidly becoming known as the Inverness Harbour of Refuge.

Mr. Campbell

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman is not aware that on 28th June in answering a Question, I gave the appointments which I had made and the names of people who had not been reappointed. They are therefore already in HANSARD.