HC Deb 18 January 1972 vol 829 cc141-2W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware that eight men and no women served as members of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;

(2) if he is aware that nine men and no women served as members of the South of Scotland Electricity Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;

(3) if he is aware that nine men and no women served as members of the Scottish Transport Group according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71;

(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the sum of money attributable to interest payments shown in the housing accounts of the four cities, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh for the years 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The information is as follows:

Civil Service Department informed the hon. Member on 16th December of the changes which had taken place since 1st January, 1971, and the White Paper on Public Boards to be published shortly will show the membership as at 1st January, 1972. In making appointments I choose the men or women best qualified for membership, and I will continue to do so.

Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that four men and no women served as members of the Herring Industry Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Cmnd. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Yes. Dr. Lyon Dean was recently appointed chairman. The Government's policy in selecting people for public appointments is to choose the man or woman best qualified for the appointment, and I shall continue to implement this policy in making appointments within my field of responsibility.