British Railways Board

HC Deb 23 October 1987 vol 120 cc914-5W

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list (a) the members of the British Railways Board, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.

Mr. David Mitchell

The names of the 13 current members of the British Railways Board are set out in its annual report and accounts for 1986–87, a copy of which was laid before the House. The criteria for appointment are set out in section 1(3) of the Transport Act 1962. The five full-time executive members, including the chairman, are all career railwaymen. The eight part-time non-executive members, of whom two are women, come from a wide variety of business and commercial backgrounds.

Appointments are made by my right hon. Friend after consultation with the Chairman. No organisation or individual has the right to nominate candidates, though suggestions are always considered carefully.