§ 43. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a statement with regard to the formation of a Scottish economic advisory council; and will say what are the functions and constitution of the council?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI would refer the right hon. Member to my reply to questions on the subject on the 1st instant, in which I indicated that the Committee had been set up and gave information as to its functions and constitution. The first meeting of the Committee, at which I was present, was held in Edinburgh yesterday.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has just informed an hon. Member, in reply to another question, that he has many channels of information? If he has the Special Area Commissioners, the Highland Development Council, and the Scottish National Development Council, all giving him information, does he intend to take the advice of any of them after he has got it?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThat depends upon what exactly is the advice tendered to me.
Mr. ALEXANDERAre there any of the members of this Economic Advisory Council who are not members of the National Development Council?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThis body was appointed by the National Development Council in consultation with myself, and the right hon Gentleman knows that a member of his organisation in Scotland is now an honoured member of it.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes that make it all right?