HC Deb 07 December 1982 vol 33 cc451-2W
Mr. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about appointments to the Ordnance Survey Advisory Board.

Mr. Heseltine

In my written answer of 28 July 1982 to a question from my hon. Friend—[Vol. 28, c.603–604]—I referred to the creation of an Advisory Board for the Ordnance Survey and the appointment of Sir Robert Clayton as its first chairman. I have now appointed four further members to serve on the board. They are:—Lord Chorley, partner in Coopers and Lybrand, Sir Alan Muir Wood, senior partner of Sir William Halcrow and Partners, Mr. Derek Barber, chairman of the Countryside Commission, and Mr. Michael Montague, chairman of the English Tourist Board. The advisory board's task will be to provide advice on the framework of policies and measures within which the Ordnance Survey should operate, and in particular:

  1. (a) to provide me with an independent appraisal of Ordnance Survey performance in order to help it flourish as an efficient and cost-effective organisation;
  2. (b) Taking account of evidence of user needs provided by the Ordnance Survey consultative machinery, to advise on the Ordnance Survey programme and its implementation. To advise in particular whether the programme meets the objectives of the Government in relation to those activities which are supported by the Exchequer;
  3. (c) To seek to ensure that any necessary external advice (including advice from the private sector) is available to me and to the Ordnance Survey;
  4. (d) To seek to ensure that the Ordnance Survey pays proper regard to the pace of technological change;
  5. (e) To have regard to the responsibility of the director general Ordnance Survey to me for the efficiency of the Ordnance Survey and for its effectiveness in meeting present and contingent user needs.

I intend that the advisory board should have regard to the needs of the private sector and the contribution it can make, and to the needs and views of the wide range of users of OS products and services. The board members will act as independent advisors rather than as representatives of particular interests. My intention is that the board should, whenever relevant, seek the views of the existing consultative committees, and of others with an interest in OS matters.