§ Mr. Sumbergasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to change the way in which he receives private sector advice about the operation of the Property Services Agency.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerUnder present arrangements, I am advised by the chief executive of the PSA, who chairs the PSA board comprising his senior colleagues. In addition, the PSA advisory board comprising 11 persons from outside the Government has since 1980 reported direct to successive Secretaries of State on a wide range of key matters affecting the agency. I have concluded that it is now appropriate for private sector expertise to be more directly focused on the main issues which the agency faces. I have therefore decided to appoint three non-executive part-time members from outside the Government to the PSA board, and to discontinue the PSA advisory board. The chairman of the PSA advisory board, Mr. Nigel Mobbs (chairman and chief executive of Slough Estates plc) and his colleagues have welcomed my decision. I for my part have greatly valued, as have my three predecessors, the reports provided by the PSA advisory board. Their quality has been a material factor in persuading me to secure more immediate private sector involvement in the running of the PSA.
I am appointing to the PSA board for a period of one year Mr. B. J. Hill (chairman and chief executive of Higgs and Hill plc and a member of the PSA advisory board since 1980); for a period of two years Mr. H. L. Cousins (a partner in Price Waterhouse plc and a member of the PSA advisory board since 1985); and for a period of three years Mr. J. S. Brown, managing director of Peachey Property Corporation plc. These appointments commencing on 15 May 1986, will provide specialist outside advice in the fields of building, finance and estates respectively. Each non-executive member will be paid £4,000 per annum during the tenure of his appointment.