HC Deb 05 November 1980 vol 991 cc1267-8
7. Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Minister of Transport what criteria he employs in the choice of members of local advisory boards of the British Transport Docks Board.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I appoint members whose experience and local knowledge appear to me to be best suited to the local boards' needs.

Dr. Marshall

When does the Minister expect to fill the vacancy that has arisen on the Humber advisory board by a nominee from the Goole chamber of commerce and shipping?

Mr. Clarke

I assume that the next step will be that the Goole and district chamber of commerce will put forward a new representative. I regret that steps that have so far been taken, whereby one of the original nominees was appointed by me and the hon. Gentleman then led a campaign against him inside the chamber to force him to resign.

For some reason that commendable candidate has been somewhat shabbily treated in the locality.