HC Deb 11 February 1980 vol 978 c493W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what criteria were used in the appointment of the chairman and the deputy chairman of the Merseyside development corporation; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will make a statement on the appointment of the deputy chairman of the Merseyside development corporation in the light of the stated opposition of the Merseyside county council to the setting up of the urban development corporation;

(3) why a political appointment was not considered for the chairmanship of the Merseyside development corporation.

Mr. Heseltine

In appointing the shadow chairman and deputy chairman for the Merseyside development corporation I had in mind the need to bring to bear qualities of imagination, leadership and local experience, both in the business and political spheres. I believe that the combination of Mr. Leslie Young and Sir Kenneth Thompson meets those criteria