§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he expects to announce the appointments of the new members of the Mental Welfare Commission;
(2) if he will list the current members of the Mental Welfare Commission and their period of tenure.
§ Mr. StewartMy right hon. Friend has today announced the appointment of Mrs. Norma Bennie, Mrs. E. Faith Cotter, Mr. Donald J. MacDonald and Mr. John A. Ross as part-time commissioners to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. Mrs. Patricia A. Baxter has been re-appointed for a further term.
The current membership of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is as follows:
Year of First Appointment Due to Demit Office Chairman Sheriff Hazel Aronson QC 1991 1 May 1995 Full-time Medical Commissioners Dr. J. A. Dyer (Director) 1991 15 April 1995 Dr. A. W. Drummond 1993 31 May 1995 Full-time Social Work Commissioner Mrs. C. E. McGregor 1993 30 November 1997 Part-time Commissioners Mrs. P. A. Baxter 1990 30 April 1998 Mrs. N. Bennie 1994 31 May 1998 Mr. P. H. Brodie QC 1985 31 December 1996 Mrs. E. F. Cotter 1994 31 May 1998 Mr. R. G. Davis 1984 31 May 1996 Mrs. A. M. Green 1984 31 May 1996 Mrs. M. Jeffcoat 1992 31 May 1996 Dr. M. G. Livingston 1994 31 December 1997 Dr. E. D. A. McCall-Smith 1993 31 July 1997 Dr. R. G. McCreadie 1994 31 December 1997 Mr. D. J. MacDonald 1994 31 May 1998 Mr. J. C. Murray (Vice-Chairman) 1991 2 September 1995 Miss L. Noble 1992 31 May 1996 Mr. J. A. Ross 1994 31 May 1998 Mr. J. G. Sutherland OBE 1984 31 May 1996
§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what criteria he will use for appointments to the Mental Welfare Commission;
52W(2) how many nominations he has received for vacancies on the Mental Welfare Commission.
§ Mr. StewartThe criteria for appointments to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland are set out in part II of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. Commissioners are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Before making such a recommendation, my right hon. Friend is required to consult such bodies as appear to him to be concerned.
In the past year, 11 nominations have been received for part-time vacancies on the Mental Welfare Commission. Recommendations for the appointment of full-time medical and social work commissioners are put forward following an open recruitment competition.