§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make a contribution to UNRWA in 1980; and when an announcement is likely to be made.
§ Mr. RidleyHer Majesty's Government intend to contribute to the 1980 budget requirement of the United Nations
Name of Body Members appointed Estimated annual cost Remarks St. Vincent Drilling Ltd. R. A. Dingwall-Smith, C.B — — J. G. N. Drummond. Committee of Inquiry into Local Government in Scotland. Rt. Hon. Anthony Stodart (Chairman). £40,000 This Committee is expected to produce its Report by December 1980 and to be wound up thereafter. R. D. M. Bell, C.B. Professor A. W. Bradley, M.A., LL.B. I. S. Campbell, O.B.E., B.Com., J.P. K. J. Clark, M.A., LL.B., J.P. T. Clarke, J.P. D. Hodge, C.B.E., J.P. B. A. Meek, J.P. A. F. Mutch, J.P. Mrs. V. D E. Purvis, J.P. J. P. Rettie. L. M. Turpie, M.A., LL.B., J.P. The St. Vincent Drilling Ltd., a company owned 50 per cent. by me and 50 per cent. by the British National Oil Corporation was incorporated in May 1979 as a result of agreements entered into by the previous Administration for the ordering of a drilling rig from the Marathon Shipbuilding Company (UK) Ltd. St. Vincent Drilling has subsequently sold the rig and its activities have occasioned no net cost to public funds; it is now dormant and, as indicated in the White Paper "Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies" (Cmnd. 7797), I plan to wind up the Government interest in it by 31 March this year.
I also make appointments to the Farm Animal Welfare Council which is the primary responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.