HC Deb 30 April 1941 vol 371 cc417-8
21. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he will give the names of the members of the Scottish Planning Committee under Lord Balfour of Burleigh; on whose recommendation they were appointed; and what qualifications the members possess to carry out the duties of the Committee?

22. Mr. McKinlay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether full consultation with all Scottish Departments and interests concerned took place prior to the appointment of the Scottish Consultative Committee on Planning?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (Mr. Hicks)

I am sending my hon. Friends copies of the initial list of members of my Noble Friend's Consultative Panel, to which I referred during the Debate on 19th March. So far as the Scottish members of the Panel are concerned, the appointments were made after consultation with my right, hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. I would add that, if my hon. Friend the Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) is referring to the Reconstruction Parliamentary Group, this is an unofficial body, and appointments to it were made without reference to any Government Department.

Mr. McKinlay

In view of the laughter which has been caused throughout Scotland by the names on the list, will my hon. Friend take the necessary steps to see that the local authorities are consulted?

Mr. Hicks

It is. not a representative body, as the hon. Member knows.