HC Deb 07 March 1984 vol 55 cc579-80W
Dr. Godman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the status of the two Government appointees to the

Income (including child benefit) at which liability to tax arises at:
Ordinary supplementary benefit scale rate 30 per cent. 40 per cent. 45 per cent.
£ £ £ £
Single Person
Amount £ per week 26.80 34.33 315.10 365.10
Per cent, of supplementary benefit scale rate 128 per cent. 1,176 per cent. 1,362 percent.
Married Couple (one earner)
Amount £ per week 43.50 53.75 334.52 384.52

board of directors of BP, in terms of their voting rights, decision-making powers, and other powers; what remuneration they receive; what is the length of their terms of office; what are the criteria used for the selection of these appointees; and what are their names.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1984, c. 405]: The two Government directors of BP have the same responsibilities as the other directors to the company as a whole. Under BP's articles of association, they have the same voting rights as the other directors, but in addition have the power to negative any resolution 'which may be proposed at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee of the directors, subject to the right of the other directors to submit such a resolution Ito the Government for their determination. The Government directors also have the power to require the company's secretary to convene an extraordinary general meeting for any purpose" and by virtue of their office are members of any committee to which any of the powers of the board may be delegated. The Government directors act within the framework of the establishment relationship between the Government and BP, whereby the Government refrain from intervening in BP's administration as a commercial concern.

The remuneration of the Government directors is a matter for BP. They are appointed for terms of three years. Appointees must be people with an understanding of the Government's position as a major shareholder in BF', and must be capable of making a full contribution to the proceedings of the board. The present Government directors are the right hon. Lord Barber of Wentbridge and Mr. Tom Jackson.