§ 53. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Chan cellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the close association of Lord Stamp and Mr. Henry Clay with the Bank of England and the consequent preponderance of Bank of England influence among the economic advisers to the Government, he will take steps immediately to broaden the character of the Committee on Economic Policy by the appointment of additional members to be representative of commercial banking, industry, and labour?
§ Sir J. SimonThe survey conducted by Lord Stamp and the other economists assisting him is not, nor is it intended to be, representative of any type of special interest and is not, I am sure, subject to any special influence. I do not propose to extend its membership in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisWill my right hon. Friend give this proposal further consideration, and does he not think that to widen the representation in the way that 537 I have suggested would give the public a certain amount of confidence in this committee?
§ Sir J. SimonI really think that anyone who considers the width of the interests of these economists, including Lord Stamp, will feel that they cannot fairly be considered by anybody as representing a special point of view.