§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to his answer of 4 February, Official Report, columns 143–4, what were the difficulties in securing suitable nominations for a member of the North-Western regional health authority from a trade union background; what steps he took after October 1984 to overcome these difficulties, how many nominations he received after October 1984 from the North-West Trade Union Congress and individual trade unions, and when; what formal response he made to those nominating bodies; and why he has not appointed any of those nominated;
(2) pursuant to the answer of 4 February, Official Report, columns 143–4, why the previous member with a trade union background was not reappointed to the North-Western regional health authority; when he expects to make an appointment to the vacant post; and what criteria he will use in making such an appointment.
§ Mr. Hayhoe[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 370]: Members of regional health authorities are appointed for their personal qualities and ability to contribute to the corporate work of the authority. Other factors taken into consideration include age, health, place of residence and potential conflicts of interest. Nominations are sought from a number of sources but the Secretary of State is not required to appoint from among them. One nominee of the wider trade union movement declined the offer of appointment in August 1985 but another has now been invited to serve.