Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investment there has been of public money in the west midlands freeport either (a) by the West Midlands county council or (b) by any other public body; how that investment is supervised by public representatives on the board; and if he will name these representatives indicating the size and sources of their emoluments.
§ Mr. MacGregorWest Midlands county council and Solihull borough council have invested £1,000 and £500 respectively in purchasing shares in West Midlands Freeport Ltd. (total share capital £10,000) which is the designated freeport authority. Presently Councillor G. W. R. Boakes of Solihull metropolitan borough council is a director of the company and Councillors J. A. W. Bird and C. J. Kirk (West Midlands joint committee) have been designated to replace Councillors B. Smith and C. Beardwood (West Midlands county council) as directors. Members of the board of West Midlands Freeport Ltd. receive no emoluments or expenses.
No public funds have been used to develop the freeport site.