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Appointments

I am today laying two statements before Parliament to fulfil my statutory duty under paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 and paragraph 5(2) of the Schedule to the British Library Act 1972.

I am the appointing authority for twenty three current board members for the British Library Board, the British Tourism Authority Board (VisitBritain) and the English Tourist Board (VisitEngland). The legislation for these bodies determines that statements should be laid before Parliament for all board appointments and sums payable for these appointments as soon as possible after the first appointment is made.

As a consequence of an historic oversight this statutory duty has not been fulfilled for sixteen of these appointments. These statements are now being laid to correct this error.

The Department accepts full responsibility and apologises to the House and I have taken action to ensure my Department fulfills the statutory duty for all future appointments to these boards.