§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce appointments to the new Scottish water authorities and to the Water and Sewerage Customers Council. [34876]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI can announce today the appointment of 29 members to the new public water authorities; their names are set out below. These appointments, together with those of the chairmen and chief executives already announced, bring the membership of two authorities to 12, the maximum permitted by legislation, and one to 11.
743WHalf the appointments will go to elected councillors. Of the 14 councillors announced today, nine are independents and five are Conservatives. Five senior Labour councillors were invited to serve: all declined, in some cases publicising their decision in the press. One vacancy remains unfilled.
The rest of today's appointments bring to the authority a range of skills and experience of the water industry business or finance. The authorities are now well placed to deliver high-quality, efficient water and sewerage services and to attract additional new investment from private finance.
The three new water authorities are public sector bodies which will forge a partnership with the providers of private sector funds to produce the greatest benefit in terms of quality of service and value for money for the people of Scotland. This is a novel and imaginative approach and I expect that all involved will play their part in ensuring its success.
I can also announce today that Mr. Dick Douglas has accepted my invitation to become chairman of the new Water and Sewerage Customers Council. The rest of the membership will be appointed in the coming weeks. Mr. Douglas responded to the public advertisement for the position and as a former Member of this House is well known for his independence and vigour. I am confident that under his leadership the interests of customers will be ably championed.
Those appointed to the North of Scotland water authority are:
Denis Addly, Councillor Raymond Bisset, Councillor Joan Eastern, Councillor Nigel J. O. Graham, Andrew D. F. Lewis, Alasdair N. MacCallum, Councillor Olwyn J. Macdonald, Nicolas McAndrew, Councillor Donald I. Nicholson, David R. Paton.Those appointed to the East of Scotland water authority are:
Disney Barlow, Robin Bell, Councillor Ian J. Berry, Councillor Ian Galloway, Councillor Tom Kerr, Councillor Pat McCafferty, Harry O'Hanlon, Sir Francis McWilliams, Roy Summers.Those appointed to the West of Scotland water authority are:
Norman S. M. Berry, Councillor Mungo Bryson, Sir Robert Easton, John M. Goodwin, David M. Gray, Peter N. B. Kennedy, Councillor William Petrie, Councillor Robert R. Reid, Provost Leslie Rosin, Councillor Ian R. Young.