HC Deb 09 June 1997 vol 295 cc321-2W
Mr. Eric Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reconstitute the Registers of Scotland Customer Advisory Group. [2877]

Mr. McLeish

My right hon. Friend has decided that the Customer Advisory Group is not the best way of meeting the need for a forum in which customers can seek to influence the Agency's activities, or for a body to provide independent advice on the Agency's strategic direction and has decided to discontinue it. Registers of Scotland now has a variety of ways of ensuring that customers of the Agency are fully consulted about its services and can seek to influence its activities. As regards a body to advise on the Agency's overall direction, my right hon. Friend proposes to set up a Registers of Scotland Strategic Advisory Group (ROSSAG) with the following remit:

  • "to advise the Secretary of State on the Agency's:
  • strategic and corporate planning;
  • its Annual Report and Accounts;
  • its major business developments.
  • and to provide advice to the Keeper on his forward planning".

The chairman and the membership will be representative of the following bodies and will be announced in due course.

  • The law Society of Scotland
  • The Scottish Consumer Council
  • Scottish Homes
  • The Council of Mortgage Lenders
  • The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

I am arranging for a copy of a revision to the Agency Framework Document reflecting this change to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.