§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Alistair Darling)I am pleased to inform the House, that I have appointed three new non-executive members to the board of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA).
Urmila Banerjee CBE, Janet Lewis-Jones and David Norgrove will be appointed for four years from 1 December 2002.
These new appointments will greatly strengthen the board by bringing particular skills and understanding of the interface between Government and industry; consumer issues and perspectives, and financial management. My decision to appoint Janet Lewis-Jones was taken after consultation with the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with sections 202 (3) and 202 (5) of the Transport Act 2000. She is Welsh, lives in Wales and is therefore familiar with the special requirements and circumstances of Wales in relation to the railways.
From December 1st, the SRA Board will consist of the following members:
Board Member Expiry Date of Current Appointment Richard Bowker (Chair & Chief Exec.) November 2006 David Quarmby (Deputy Chair) November 2004 Lew Adams OBE November 2004 Urmila Banerjee CBE November 2006 David Begg April 2005 Willie Gallagher April 2005 David Grayson April 2005 Pen Kent November 2004 Janet Lewis-Jones November 2006 Jeremy Mayhew April 2005 David Norgrove November 2006 All non-executive members receive annual remuneration of £14,190, with the exception of the Deputy Chair, David Quarmby and the Chair of the Audit Committee, Pen Kent, who receive £18,919.