HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 c202
46. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many economists are being employed in an advisory capacity to the Cabinet; what are their functions; what practical use is being made of their research and advice; and whether they all work under his general direction?

The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

As regards my hon. Friend's Question generally, I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 24th July. As regards the third part of the Question, the studies carried out by the staff of economists form part of the material available to the various Ministerial Committees, and have been of considerable value in reaching decisions on economic questions.

Mr. Hicks

Have the economists standard qualifications, and what type of economists are employed?

Mr. Greenwood

As an ex-economist myself, I never realised that they had standard qualifications.

Sir Herbert Williams

Did they all sign on the Central Register before they were appointed?

Mr. Greenwood

The answer to that is quite simple. I was not responsible originally for their appointment.