HC Deb 26 July 1978 vol 954 cc765-6W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that the four present members of the Council of the Agrément Board, other than the full-time, salaried director, are all male and all between the ages of 62 and 73 years, he will take into account the desirability of appointing some younger people, including women, when the present terms of office expire on 31st December, in addition to reappointing the present members.

Mr. Armstrong

In considering appointments to the council of the Agrément Board it has never been my right hon. Friend's policy to select or discount anyone solely on the grounds of their sex or age.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when (a) the £600 fee for the chairman of the Agrément Board and (b) the £300 fee for the other board members was fixed; and to what level it would be necessary to increase it in order to keep pace with inflation since then.

Mr. Armstrong

The fee for the chairman of the Agrément Board was set in 1967 on the appointment of the late Lord Peddie and the fee for other council members was set in 1966 when the original members were appointed. To keep pace with inflation since then the fees payable now would have to be approximately £1,900 per annum for the chairman and £975 per annum for other council members.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why neither Mr. T. Harley-Haddow, following his resignation on 26th January, nor Lord Peddie, followed his death on 13th April, has been replaced by new ministerial nominees to the council of the Agrément Board; why Mr. W. J. Appleton has not been replaced as an assessor by the Property Services Agency; and whether he intends to take any further action on this matter in advance of the report of the Bennett Committee.

Mr. Armstrong

My right hon. Friend considered that it would be premature to appoint permanent replacements for the late chairman and Mr. Harley-Haddow until he had received the report of the Agrément Study Group under the chairmanship of Mr. Philip Bennett, which is expected in the autumn. In the meantime he has asked Mr. W. S. Jones, already a council member, to serve as acting chairman. Following Mr. Appleton's retirement earlier this year, Mr. M. F. Chaplin is acting as the Property Services Agency's assessor to the board.