HC Deb 17 December 1941 vol 376 cc1916-7
5. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is the economic adviser to the Chatham House Reconstruction Committee; what salary he is paid; and has he access to any confidential documents?

Mr. Law

The Committee of Reconstruction of the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House is a private body and no question arises of any salary being paid or any confidential documents supplied by His Majesty's Government. I understand that this Committee has no economic adviser, but that it is advised by an Economic Group under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke).

Sir W. Smithers

Cannot my hon. Friend tell me the name of the economic adviser, and how can he give service to the Council if he has not access to official documents?

Mr. Law

This body is not in any way under the control of the Government. It is a purely private body, but such information as we have suggests that there is no economic adviser.