HC Deb 14 October 1976 vol 917 cc189-90W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a list of the appointments of heads of nationalised industries and State-owned companies for the past 25 years, indicating in how many cases those people appointed were sitting Members of Parliament and to which political party they belonged.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The list of bodies for which information is readily available is as follows:

British Steel Corporation

  • Lord Melchett appointed April 1967.
  • Sir Montague Finniston appointed September 1973.
  • Sir Charles Villiers appointed September 1976.

Cable and Wireless Limited

  • Major-General Leslie Nicholls (later Sir Leslie Nicholls) appointed April 1951.
  • Sir Godfrey Ince, GCB appointed February 1956.
  • Sir John Macpherson appointed January 1962.
  • Colonel Donald McMillan appointed November 1967.
  • Mr. H. G. Lillicrap appointed March 1972.

Govan Shipbuilders Ltd.

  • Mr. H. Stenhouse appointed September 1971.
  • Lord Strathalmond appointed December 1971.
  • Prof. K. Alexander appointed September 1974 (to January 1976).

National Enterprise Board

  • Lord Ryder appointed November 1975.

Post Office

  • Viscount Hall appointed October 1969.
  • Sir William Ryland appointed April 1971.

None of the persons mentioned above was a sitting Member of Parliament on appointment.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry for which nationalised industries he appoints chairmen and whom he consults in making such appointments.

Mr. Les Huckfield

My right hon. Friend appoints the chairmen of the British Steel Corporation, Cable and Wireless Limited, the National Enterprise Board and the Post Office. Consultations depend on the circumstances of each appointment but always include my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.