HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 cc92-100W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish details of the boards, commissions, committees or other types of organisations established by his Department since October 1974, giving in each case the purpose of the organisation, the chairman's and members' salaries and expenses, and the total cost of the organisation for each year since 1974.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The information so far as it is available is shown below. Bodies which were both established and wound up since 1974, or which have not met during the last two years, have not been included.

Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs
British Aerospace April 1977 To promote the efficient and economical design, development, production, sale, repair and maintenance of civil and military aircraft, of guided weapons and of space vehicles; and research into matters relating thereto. Chairman £23,538 p.a. Expenses incurred on the Corporation's business are reimbursed by British Aerospace and are a matter for the Corporation. The Corporation's Annual Report and Accounts for 1977 will be laid before Parliament later this year.
Deputy Chairman £29,000 p.a.
1 member between £12,501 and £15,000 p.a.
2 members between £17,501 and £20,000 p.a.
1 member between £20,001 and £22,500 p.a.
2 members between £22,501 and £25,000 p.a.
1 member between £25,001 and £27,500 p.a.
2 members £1,000.
British Shipbuilders July 1977 To promote and secure the promotion by its wholly owned subsidiaries of the efficient and economical design, development, production, sale, repair and maintenance of ships and slow speed diesel marine engines: research into matters relative thereto. Chairman £23,538 p.a.* Expenses incurred on the Corporation's business are reimbursed by British Shipbuilders and are a matter for the Corporation. The Corporation's Annual Report and Accounts will be laid before Parliament later this year.
2 Deputy Chairman £19,538 p.a.
3 Members £17,501–£20,000 p.a.
4 Members £1,000.†
3 Members unpaid.
Clothing Industry Scheme Advisory Board. February 1976 To advise the Secretary of State on more important projects for which companies ave applied for assistance under the Clothing Industry Scheme, having regard in particular to the technical and commercial prospects of the project; the capabilities of the applicant; the contribution the project will make to improving significantly the productivity and efficiency of the applicant and of the industry and any critical factors to be watched in monitoring the project, and to advise generally. Chairman and 4 members (all unpaid). 1976–77 … £72 (b)
1977–78 … £133
Committee of Inquiry into the Engineering Profession. July 1977 To inquire into: Chairman and 17 members (all unpaid). (a) 1977–78 … £3,500
(i) British requirements for Engineers and Technicians in Industry;
(ii) Role of the Engineering Institutions in Education and Training;
(iii) Statutory Registration and Licensing;
(iv) Arrangements for the Profession in other countries.

Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs
Electrical Technology Research and Development Requirements Board. January 1978 To determine, subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State for Industry, the objectives and balance of Department of Industry-funded Research and Development, as proxy customer in the electrical technology field, to further the practical application of technology and to advise the Secretary of State on other matters relating to science and technology in this field. Chairman and 7 members (all unpaid). Not yet available
Electronic Components Instrumentation and Automation Industry Support Schemes Advisory Boards. July 1977 To advise the Department of Industry on major projects for which companies have applied for assistance under the Electronic Components or Instrumentation and Automation Schemes, having regard in particular to the requirements of the schemes, the commercial prospects of the project, the capabilities of the company and the contribution that the project would make to strengthening the industry. Chairman and 8 members (all unpaid). 1977 £106 (b)
1978 £18
Garment and Allied Industries Research and Development Requirements Board. October 1975 To determine, subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State for Industry the objectives and balance of Department of Industry-funded Research and Development, as proxy customer, in the garment and allied industries field, to further the practical application of technology, and to advise the Secretary of State on other matters relating to science and technology in this field. Chairman and 8 members (all unpaid). 1975 £175 (b)
1976 £1,500
1977 £1,550
1978 £255
Manufacturing Advisory Service Steering Committee. July 1977 To advise on the operation and development of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, set up to help small and medium sized firms in manufacturing industry to adopt modern technology. Chairman and 13 members (all unpaid). 1977 £220 (b)
1978 Not yet available
Manufacturing Machinery Advisory Committee. October 1975 To advise the Department of Industry on projects for which companies have applied for assistance under the Machine Tool Industry Scheme, the Printing Machinery Industry Scheme or the Textile Machinery Industry Scheme having regard in particular to the technical and commercial prospects of the project; the capabilities of the company; the contribution that the project would make to strengthening the particular industry; and critical factors to be watched in monitoring the project. Chairman and 7 members (all unpaid). 1976 £334 (b)
1977 £244
1978 £49

Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs
National Committee on Computer Networks. October 1976 (1) To consider the development of computer networks in the light of economic and social factors with particular reference to: Chairman (fees £25 per day).‡ 13 members (all unpaid). 1976 £215 1976 £322
1977 £729 1977 £32,387
1978 £248 1978 £9,970
(i) the joint interests of users and hardware and software suppliers;
(ii) national and international standards;
(iii) the relationship between private and public networks;
(iv) collaboration with overseas countries.
(2) To provide a forum for discussion between the major parties concerned with computer networks, including the Post Office and government departments, and to give advice to industry and government on computer networks.
National Enterprise Board. November 1975 (1) The development or assistance of the economy of the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom. Chairman £32,059 pa. Deputy Chairman £27,550 p.a. 9 members £1,000.§ Expenses incurred on the Board's business are reimbursed by the NEB and are a matter for the Board. This information is included in the Board's Annual Report and Accounts which have been laid before Parliament.
(2) The promotion in any part of the United Kingdom of industrial efficiency and international competitiveness.
(3) The provision, maintenance or safeguarding of productive employment in any part of the United Kingdom.
National Maritime Institute Board. July 1976 To determine the balance of the work programme of the National Maritime Institute which was set up to continue and develop the work carried out by the Ship and Maritime Science Divisions of the National Physical Laboratory. Chairman and 4 members (all unpaid). (a) (b)
Non-Ferrous Foundry Scheme Advisory Committee. April 1977 To advise the Department of Industry on projects for which companies have applied for assistance under the Non-Ferrous Foundry Industry Scheme, having regard in particular to the technical and commercial prospects of the project, the capabilities of the company, the contribution that the project would make to strengthening the industry concerned, and the critical factors to be watched in monitoring the project. Chairman and 5 members (all unpaid). 1977 £120 (b)
1978 £35

Established Purpose Membership and remuneration Expenses Total costs
Waste Management Advisory Council. December 1974 Set up jointly with the Department of the Environment to advise the Government on waste management in order to secure the economical utilisation of material resources, and the safe and efficient disposal of wastes. This body is in the process of re-organisation. Shared with the Department of the Environment. Shared with the Department of the Environment.
(a) (b)
Notes:
(a) Travel and subsistence expenses incurred directly on the business of the organisation are normally reimbursed at the rates applicable to senior Civil Servants. The annual total of expenses reimbursed is not readily available.
(b) The total costs are mainly if not exclusively, the expenses of the members, together, in certain cases, with the cost incurred by officials in providing a secretariat, information on which is noi readily available.
* Salary abated by service pension.
† Salary voluntarily not drawn by 1 member.
‡ Fees in 1977 amounted to £500.
§ Includes 2 members who do not draw salaries.