§ Mr. Powleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about his plans for the chairmanship of British Shipbuilders.
§ Mr. ChannonIt is with considerable regret that I have accepted that Mr. Phillip Hares CBE should retire as chairman and chief executive of British Shipbuilders on grounds of ill-health. Although Mr. Hares has been in post for only 12 months, he has successfully managed an important adjustment in the scale of the corporation's activities, and has secured major orders that under-pin the 553W future of its two main yards, I should like to express the Government's gratitude to Mr. Hares for his valuable services to the corporation both as chairman and chief executive and in other posts over the past 10 years.
I am glad to announce that Mr. John Lister has accepted my invitation to succeed Mr. Hares. Mr. Lister has pursued a successful career with Imperial Chemical Industries plc, most recently as chairman of ICI fibres division. Mr. Lister will become chairman and chief executive of the corporation on 1 May.
I should also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Maurice Phelps, the BS board member for personnel and employee relations, who agreed to delay his departure from the corporation for a post in private industry in order to assume the position of acting chief executive during Mr. Hares' indisposition. Mr. Phelps, who leaves his executive position on the British Shipbuilders board from 4 May, is to continue as a non-executive director of the corporation.