§ 25. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to require all large public companies to appoint non-executive directors, and to ensure that such non-executive directors exercise an effective supervisory function by defining their responsibility, accountability and functions.
§ Sir G. HoweI have noted with interest proposals commending the practice of appointing non-executive directors. I hope that these and other suggestions on company structure will receive wide and thorough discussion in connection with my current review of company law.
§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for industrial development certificates were refused in the United Kingdom in 1972; and how this figure compares with the figures for 1970 and 1971.
5W
§ Mr. Anthony GrantOne hundred and ninety-four IDCs were refused in Great Britain in 1970, 112 in 1971 and 55 in 1972, but these figures are not comparable because since July 1972 IDCs have not been required in the development and special development areas and the exemption limits have been raised twice since the beginning of 1970. The IDC control does not apply to Northern Ireland.