§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to announce the membership of the Construction Exports Advisory Board.
§ Mr. FreesonI am glad to say that Mr. D. G. Scholey, Vice-Chairman of S. G. Warburg & Co. Ltd., and until recently Deputy Chairman of the Government's Export Guarantees Advisory Council, has accepted my invitation to chair the Board. The following have agreed to serve as Vice-Chairman and members:
- Mr. H. W. A. Francis (Vice-Chairman), Vice-Chairman, Tarmac Ltd.; recently Chairman, Export Group for the Constructional Industries.
- Mr. S. Baker, Co-ordinator of Industrial Advisers, Department of Trade.
- Mr. J. H. S. Burgess, Under-Secretary, Construction Industry Overseas Directorate, Department of Environment.
- Mr. O. Cox, Partner, Shankland Cox. Partnership, planners and architects.
- Mr. R. Foster, Chairman, Foster Melbourn Holdings; Past President, National Federation of Building Trades Employers.
- Mr. M. A. Hastilow, Chairman, Wednesbury Tube Co.; member executive committee of National Council of Building Material Producers.
- Mr. H. Ridehalgh, Senior Partner, Sir William Halcrow & Partners, consulting engineers.
- Mr. R. Soper, Member, Association of Building Technicians; Member of the TUC Construction Industry Committee.
- Mr. D. R. W. Watts, Director, George Wimpey & Co. Ltd.; President, Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.
I have invited one further member to serve.
As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 7th August, the Board will have as its immediate remit the task of advising my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Trade on the selection of firms or groups of firms to pursue particular construction projects overseas; and, generally, on ways of harnessing additional resources in the constructional industries, and associated professions, to meet export opportunities.