HL Deb 12 March 1985 vol 461 cc163-4WA
Baroness Fisher of Rednal

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the names and qualifications of those people appointed to serve on the Widdicombe Inquiry.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Avon)

I am glad to inform the House that the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales and the Secretary of State for the Environment propose to appoint the following members of the committee of inquiry, under the chairmanship of Mr. David Widdicombe, QC:

  • Sir Lawrence Boyle, JP, formerly Chief Executive of Strathclyde Regional Council.
  • Mr. Peter Newsam, Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.
  • Mr. George Russell, Managing Director of British Alcan Aluminium Limited.

Baroness Fisher of Rednal

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to receive the report of the Widdicombe Inquiry on local government practices.

The Earl of Avon

The Committee of Inquiry into the Conduct of Local Authority Business has been asked to aim to report within a year. In view of the growing public concern about the use made by some local authorities of their discretionary powers to engage in overt political campaigning at public expense, the committee has been requested to submit an interim report on this question by the end of July.