§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement on the report by Dr. Ian Brotherton Ministerial Appointments to National Parks and whether they will set out the criteria followed in making these appointments.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleDr. Brotherton's report contains a useful analysis of ministerial appointments to national park authorities over the last three decades, and in particular since the reorganisation of local government in 1974. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State recently discussed the report with the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, in his capacity as President of the Council for National Parks, the body at whose invitation Dr. Brotherton undertook his study. He emphasised the importance which the Government attach to these appointments and confirmed that candidates will continue to he selected, in consultation with the Countryside Commission, with the best interests of the parks in mind.