HC Deb 23 February 1993 vol 219 cc550-1W
Mr. McMaster

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the criteria he applies when appointing members of the Friendly Societies Commission; and if he will list the relevant experience and professional qualifications of its current members.

Mr. Nelson

[holding answer 22 February 1993]: The factors which the Treasury takes into account in making appointments to the Friendly Societies Commission include: the requirement for a mix of relevant skills and experience; the need to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest which might prevent prospective commissioners from carrying out their statutory duties; the importance of having a commission which can work as a team; and the need for enough commissioners to carry out the commission's statutory functions.

The relevant experience and professional qualifications of the current commissioners is:

Mr. D. W. Lee (Chairman) Full-time civil servant for last four years. Registrar of Friendly societies since December 1989. Formerly with Lloyds Bank and Barclays; Director of various companies in financial services and other sectors. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, with a degree in law, LL.B (Hons.) London.

Mr. P. E. Couse, FCA Retired Chartered Accountant. Formerly partner, Coopers and Lybrand and President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Mr. F. da Rocha Civil servant for 24 years (18 years in the Registry of Friendly Societies).

Dr. J. Dine Barrister. Reader in Law at Essex University, with a doctorate in law.

Mr. J. A. Geddes Actuary—Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries (retired). Formerly partner, R. Watson and Sons.

Mr. A. Wilson Retired Civil Servant—formerly Registrar of Friendly Societies—and a qualified solicitor.