§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public positions to which he has appointed Mr. John Robertson of the S. and J. D. Robertson Group, stating in each case the salary and expenses, the required weekly commitment of working days and Mr. Robertson's particular qualifications for the appointment.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 3 March 1995]: I have appointed Mr. Robertson to the following positions:
Organisation Position Salary Weekly time commitment Highland Health Board Chairman £14,835 pa 2-3 days Highlands and Islands Enterprise Member £ 7,410 pa 0.5 days In addition to salary, Mr. Robertson is re-imbursed any expenses incurred in connection with these appointments at the rate appropriate to the body concerned. Mr. Robertson's appointment as chairman of Highland health board extends until 31 March 1999 and his appointment as a member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise until 30 September 1995. Mr. Robertson has said that he does not wish to be considered for re-appointment to Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Since 27 August 1990 Mr. Robertson has been a lay member of the national health service tribunal. This position carries no remuneration but allowances are payable to cover loss of remunerative time and travelling 96W expenses incurred in connection with the work of the tribunal. However, the tribunal has not met since Mr. Robertson's appointment.
On 6 February I announced Mr. Robertson's appointment as a chairman of the North of Scotland Water Authority. He will take up these duties later this year and they will entail an average time commitment of two and a half days per week for which he will received £40,000 per annum plus expenses. The appointment will be for four years. When he agreed to accept this appointment, Mr. Robertson told my officials that, on taking up the post, he wished to forgo the payments for his public service with the health board and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This is in line with the action he took for several years with Orkney health board.
Mr. Robertson has a range of skills and experience built up through many years of public service and through running a property and oil distribution business. His links in the highlands and islands have made him particularly suitable for the appointments he has held and should also prove invaluable in connection with his forthcoming role as chairman of the North of Scotland Water Authority.