§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what date the current term of office on National Rivers Authority regional flood defence committees expires for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the National Rivers Authority and local authority appointments, respectively;
(2) on what date the current period of service on National Rivers Authority local flood defence committees expires for the appointees of regional committees and local authorities.
§ Mr. CurryThe appointment to regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are due to expire on 30 June 1994. Information about the end dates of appointments to these committees by other bodies is not held centrally, but, according to the NRA, its appointments are due to end on 31 August 1994 and in a majority of regions those for local authorities are due to end on 31 May 1993.
The end dates for appointment to local flood defence committees vary in different regions and, according to information provided by the NRA, range from 31 May 1993 to 30 June 1994.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what written guidance or instructions he has given to the chairmen of National Rivers Authority regional flood defence committees regarding the experience and interests of the appointments made to local flood defence committees under section 13 of the Water Resources Act 1991; and if he will place a copy in the Library;
(2) what written guidance or instructions he has given to the levy-paying local authorities on the financial, commercial or personal interests of the members whom they appoint to regional flood defence committees of the National Rivers Authority; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. CurryThe broad criteria to be taken into account in appointing members to regional or local flood defence committees are set out in sećtions 10(4) and 13(6) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Schedule 4 to that Act sets out more detailed provisions regarding the membership and proceedings of the committees, including declarations of interests. While the NRA and local councils are encouraged to appoint members representing a broad range of local interests, no supplementary written guidance or instructions have been issued.