HC Deb 04 March 1976 vol 906 cc687-8W
Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he accepts the opinion expressed in paragraph 32 of the 13th Report of the New Towns Sub-Committee that considerable caution should be exercised over raising the level of local authority representation on the Board; and if he will follow that principle when considering new appointments to the Board of the Redditch Development Corporation;

(2) what are the known political affiliations of the present members of the Board of the Redditch Development Corporation;

(3) how many members of the Board of the Redditch Development Corporation actually work in the new town; and if he will bear in mind the needs for this kind of practical experience when making new appointments to the Board;

(4) what were the known political affiliations of those new members he appointed to the Board of the Redditch Development Corporation; and whether he is contemplating making further new appointments this year.

Mr. John Silkin

I am convinced that there is merit in appointing some members of local authorities to the boards of development corporations, but the number to be appointed to any particular board must depend on the individual circumstances.

Of the present members of the Redditch Board whose political affiliation is known, five are Labour and one is Conservative; of these my right hon. Friend has appointed all except one of the Labour members. Political affiliation is not, however, an overriding factor in making appointments.

We are considering making further appointments to the Board this year, but before these are made they will be subject to the necessary statutory consultations with local authorities.

Only one member of the Redditch Board works in the new town, but three of the members live in Redditch. I am satisfied that the membership of the Redditch Board reflects the requirement of the New Towns Act that in appointing members the Minister shall have regard to the desirability of securing the services of one or more persons resident in or having special knowledge of the locality".