Department of Energy and Climate Change
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Reappointment to the Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee

Reappointment to the Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 12 May 2009

Mike O'Brien, Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change, today confirmed the reappointment of Dr Tony Bastock as chairman of the CWC National Authority Advisory Committee, for a further four years.

The Minster said:

"I am pleased to confirm that Dr Tony Bastock has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the National Authority Advisory Committee. Dr Bastock's knowledge and experience makes him an ideal candidate to take forward the important work of the Committee and I am grateful to him for all his endeavours."

Notes to Editors

1. Dr Tony Bastock was appointed as chairman of the NAAC on 18 May 2005 for an initial term of four years. This reappointment is for an additional term of four years, running until 17 May 2013, and is made in accordance with the requirements of the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

2. Dr Bastock is currently the Group Managing Director of Contract Chemicals Limited; is a Board member of CEFIC (the European Chemical Industry Council); and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Catalyst (the Museum and Science Education Centre on Merseyside).

3. The NAAC was established in 1997 as a lower tier advisory Non-Departmental Public Body. Its primary function is to assist the Department with its task of ensuring that the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 are implemented effectively in the UK. Further details are available at: (website address)

4. All members of the NAAC are appointed by the Secretary of State and receive no remuneration - although members are entitled to reimbursement of travel and subsistence while on official duties. There are seven members of the committee, including the chairman, all of whom are drawn from the UK chemical industry (the sector in the UK that is primarily affected by the CWC) or academia.

5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity to be made public. Dr Bastock has not declared any political activities.

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