§ 2. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Ayr County Council on the question of filling the vacancy to Irvine Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Development, Scottish Office (Mr. George Younger)The county council has represented that my right hon. Friend should appoint its sole nominee forthwith, but he still requires from the council a list of names which, in the usual way, offers him an effective choice in filling the vacancy.
§ Mr. LambieWill the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to listen to Ayr County Council and to appoint the sole nominee, Councillor Robert Beattie, to fill this vacancy on the Irvine Development Corporation? Since this long-dragged-out affair is beginning to smell of political corruption—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—may we have a guarantee that the Secretary of State is not waiting for a major-general or civil servant to retire to be given this job?
§ Mr. YoungerThe hon. Gentleman may have a guarantee that my right hon. Friend is anxious to carry out the normal procedure agreed in appointments of this kind and is awaiting a list of members from which he can make a choice. This is the way it has been done since the new town corporations were set up.
§ Mr. RossBearing in mind that the sole nominee is a well-respected county councillor in my constituency, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will assure the House that he has nothing against this man personally?
§ Mr. YoungerMost certainly I am glad to give that assurance to the right hon. Gentleman. I hope that a list can be provided from which my right hon. Friend can make a meaningful choice—which is the method originally laid down by the right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) as the way in which it should be done.