HC Deb 09 July 1979 vol 970 cc84-6W
Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the cut in the present year's budget of the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) on 18 June 1979.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the full impact of the Budget measures on the spending in the current year of the Welsh Development Agency, including the effect on forward commitments.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The £3 million reduction announced as part of the Budget measures is primarily directed towards the Agency's investment programme, but I have made clear to the Agency that it has some discretion as to the way in which the reduction is allocated over its total budget. Until I have considered the Agency's recommendations I cannot say what impact the reduction may have on the Agency's forward commitments.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the qualifications including previous appointments in the selection of Ministers held by each member of the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The present board of the Welsh Development Agency was appointed by my predecessor, who will no doubt have had regard to the requirements laid down in section 2 of the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the full-time occupation and other Government appointments held by each member of the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The information is as follows:

Chairman

Sir David Davies Kt. Retired; former general secretary, Iron and Steel Trade Confederation. Other Government appointments: member, iron and steel industry training board.

Vice-Chairman

Mr. T. S. Roberts, J.P. Retired; former ports director, South Wales ports. Other Government appointments: chairman, Milford Haven conservancy board.

Members

Mr. D. G. Badham, C.B.E., J.P., D.L. Company director. Other Government appointments: member, British Gas Corporation; member, Welsh Council; member, Nature Conservancy Council advisory committee for Wales. Mr. Z. Brierley, C.B.E. Company chairman. Other Government appointments: member, Welsh industrial development advisory board; member, Welsh Council; member, Design Council; member, Celtic Sea advisory committee; member, committee to review the functioning of financial institutions. Mr. Ian Gray. Chief executive, Welsh Development Agency. Other Government appointments; none. Mr. R. E. Holland. Director and chief general manager, Pearl Assurance Company Ltd. Other Government appointments; none. Mr. W. J. Jones, M.B.E., J.P. South Wales and Western divisional officer, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. Other Government appointments; none. Mr. J. Kegie, O.B.E. Planning consultant and chartered surveyor; former county planning officer Monmouthshire county council. Other Government appointments; member, Countryside Commission; member, Housing Corporation. Mr. G. M. Metcalf, O.B.E. Company chairman; former partner, Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, chartered accountants. Other Government appointments; member, Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board. Mr. Emrys Roberts, O.B.E. Company director. Other Government appointments; chairman, Development Board for Rural Wales. Mr. D. R. Snowden, O.B.E. Retired; former associate director, Merthyr Manufacture. Hoover Ltd. Other Government appointments; member, Brecon Beacons national park committee.