HL Deb 12 May 1965 vol 266 cc63-4

2.35 p.m.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state what are the criteria or qualifications required for an appointment to membership of the Water Resources Board; who are the present members; and whether (full-time) membership precludes members of the Board from undertaking consultant or professional work.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)

My Lords, the Water Resources Act lays down no criteria for the choice of members of the Water Resources Board, except that they must include at least one member who has a special knowledge or experience of matters relating to conservation and the use of water resources in Wales.

The present members are:

The only full-time member is Mr. Rowntree, and the answer to the last part of the question is, "Yes". But when on June 5, 1964, Sir Keith Joseph indicated to the Press the names of the members, he added, as regards Mr. Rowntree, that he was a partner in a firm of consulting engineers and that to enable him to complete existing commitments it might over a short period be necessary for him, notwithstanding his membership of the Board, to give evidence on matters of fact at public inquiries into schemes with which he had been associated as consulting engineer".

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, while I understand the situation in that particular case, does the Answer mean that an individual may, in certain important circumstances, be advocate and judge in the same matter?

LORD MITCHISON

No, my Lords.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

Why not?

LORD MITCHISON

Because it does not.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, will the Government see that one or other of these gentlemen is at least experienced in what water ought to taste like, because the taste of London water is quite filthy at the moment?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, the Board are concerned with the water resources of the country, and not with the noble Lord's troubles about London water.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord would not agree with me that the Government are very fortunate to have the services of Sir William Goode, Chairman of the Board, who, in the opinion of all who have had occasion to work with him, is a man of great resource?

LORD MITCHISON

Yes, my Lords; and I am sure that other members of the Board are equally distinguished and suitable.

Back to