HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc106-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) of 9 February,Official Report, column 323, if he will list all the members of the Overseas Projects Board since 1984 with the terms and conditions of the appointment, including any recompense, expenses or remuneration.

Mr. Needham

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 21 February 1994,Official Report, columns 22-23.

With regard to conditions of service, appointments are made by the Minister of Trade normally for a period of three years. Members are required to treat all commercially classified material which they may obtain during the course of their membership as strictly confidential. Members are reminded that Government information is subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

Members are asked to provide the Department of Trade and Industry with a list of companies in which they hold directorships and/or have financial interests and to update the information as necessary. This list is treated in the strictest confidence and is not made available outside the Department.

The appointment does not carry rights to recompense, expenses or remuneration.

I have placed a copy of the board's terms of reference in the Library of the House.