§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the nature of his investigation and the names of the persons interviewed as a result of the request from the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk Burghs for an inquiry into the appointment of the chairman and members of the board of the Forth Ports Authority; and if he will also list the names of those he consulted before making the appointment.
§ Mr. RipponFor the reasons indicated in my letter of 2nd October to the hon. Member, I do not consider that any inquiry is necessary. Before appointments were made both the National Ports Council—in accordance with the statutory requirement—and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland were consulted.