§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual salary of the chairman of the Scottish Development Agency, and how many days a week he works; how this salary was arrived at; what was the annual salary of the previous chairman of the agency for each year or part of a year, respectively, of his tenure of the post; and how many days a week he worked at the agency.
§ Mr. YoungerUp to the present time the salary of the chairman of the SDA has been based upon the recommendations of the Review Body on Top Salaries. 265W As announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 July, however, the increases recommended by the Review Body in its most recent reports are to be reduced. The salary of the chairman of the agency, who is appointed on a two-days-per-week basis, will therefore be £13,600 per annum as from 1 April 1980.
The previous chairman was appointed on 15 December 1975 on a half time basis. His full-time salary was as follows:
£ 15 Demember 1975–30 June 1977 19,000 1 July 1977–31 December 1977 19,208 1 January 1978–31 March 1979 21,130 1 April 1979–14 December 1979 27,565
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take action following the attack on Government economic policy by the chairman of the Scottish Development Agency.
§ Mr. YoungerI saw Mr. Duthie on 4 July to discuss with him his views on matters of concern to the agency, including those he referred to in his speech to the Glasgow chamber of commerce on 30 June. I should, however, make plain that I do not expect those I appoint to public boards necessarily to give unqualified support to all our policies, and I am sure my hon. Friend will have noted the vigorous support for Government policies generally which Mr. Duthie has given on both this and other occasions.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is still his intention to allow the Scottish Development Agency to increase during 1980–81 the number of persons employed at the agency; whether this projected increase is in accordance with the Government's policy to reduce the number of bureaucrats and reduce public expenditure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerThe published estimates for the agency for 1980–81 provide for a staff complement restricted to the present limit of 750. I have already made it clear that the agency cannot be exempt from the Government's general policy of curbing the growth of public service manpower.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when last he met the chairman of the Scottish Development Agency; when next he plans to meet the 266W chairman of the Scottish Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerI met the chairman of the Scottish Development Agency on 4 July.
In view of the important role which the agency has to play in promoting economic development in Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for industry and education and I will continue to have frequent contact with Mr. Duthie in the normal course.