§ 5. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make further appointments to the Bracknell Development Corporation.
§ Mr. John SilkinI shall give urgent consideration as and when the opportunity arises.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeDoes the right hon. Gentleman not feel that one of the reasons for urgency is that of the four representatives of Bracknell District Council on this body three lost their seats at the last council elections and that there are now only three Labour members on the district council? Does he not agree, therefore, that that representation is grossly unfair and should be put right as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. SilkinI do not think it has ever been the view of any of my predecessors —and certainly not of myself—that the basis for choosing the members of a development corporation depends upon a kind of political ring. If the hon. Gentleman cares to think about the matter he will recall that the chairman and deputy chairman, who were reappointed by myself, are, as it happens, Conservatives. I am not as pessimistic as the hon. Gentleman. When vacancies arise in March 1977, it might be that the sort of person we need—able, intelligent and experienced—could even be a Conservative.