§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the total number of appointments of all kinds it fell within his power to make, whether or not such appointments actually fell to be made in the year in question.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have responsibility for a maximum of 176 statutory appointments to the state-owned or controlled energy industries. Apart from a reduction in the statutory maximum number of appointments to BNOC (reduced from 20 to 12 with effect from 1 November 1982) because of the flotation of Britoil on 19 November 1982, this total has remained constant since 1978–79. Appointments to the non-statutory bodies in respect of which I have discretion on the numbers that can be appointed are as given below:
(2) how many villages in north Bedfordshire are without gas; and when he expects villages with over 1,000 inhabitants will be connected with the gas network.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThese are matters for the British Gas Corporation. I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.