§ 58. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Information whether he will give the names of the members appointed on the Advisory Committee for Wales; what organisations were consulted; and who decided the proportionate basis of the representation on the committee?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Harold Nicolson)The basis of the political representation upon the Advisory Committee was fixed after discussion with the headquarters of the political parties concerned. The remaining members of the committee were nominated in order to provide a body representative of the main interests in Wales not neglecting the variety of outlook between the North and South. As the list of names and the organisations represented is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that nine or ten members of this committee are residents of Cardiff, whereas there are whole areas of Wales— for example, all the area West of Swansea —without a single representative? Further, may I ask whether it is true that the body described as the National Labour Party has been given a representative on this committee and that no one in Wales knows of its existence?
§ Mr. NicolsonIn answer to the first part of the Supplementary Question, it is always possible for the committee to opt further members if they feel that they are not fully represented or do not cover a sufficiently wide area of the 566 country. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative?
§ Mr. R. GibsonIs the Minister representing that it is propaganda for his office to put forward a particular organisation?
§ Following is a list of the members of the Regional Advisory Committee and of the bodies they represent: —
§ Name and Representation.
- Sir William Cope, Bt., K.C. Conservative.
- Mrs. R. T. England, O.B.E. Conservative.
- Miss W. James. Conservative.
- J. R. Humphreys. Conservative.
- G. Morris. Labour
- Alderman Tudor Watkins, J.P. Labour.
- Mrs. E. Andrews, J.P. Labour.
- Alderman H. T. Edwards,' J.P. Labour.
- Mrs. G. D. Powell. Liberal.
- J. W. Jones. Liberal.
- Gomer Owen. Liberal.
- J. R. Williams. Liberal National.
- Ewan G. Davies. Liberal National.
- Councillor W. G. McNeill. National Labour.
- R. W. Williams. Trades Union Congress.
- Councillor Lewis Lewis. Trades Union Congress.
- B. Griffiths. Co-operative Movement.
- P. L. Gould. Federation of British Industries.
- Iestyn Williams. Federation of British Industries.
- Daniel E. James. Association of British Chambers of Commerce.
- T. J. Rees. Local Authorities (Education).
- Sir William Jenkins, M.P. Local Authorities.
- Elfan Rees. N.C.S.S.
- Mrs. Clement Davies. W.V.S.
- Principal C. A. Edwards, D.Sc, F.R.S. University of Wales.
- Principal J. F. Rees (Chairman). University of Wales.
- Alderman W. Emyr Williams, LL.B. National Eistedded Council.
- Geoffrey Summers. Information Committees (Northern Group).
- Alderman J. W. Morgan. Information Committees (S. Western Group).
- George Williams. Information Committees (Southern Group).
- George Hoare. Information Committees (S. Eastern Group).
- Professor W. J. Gruffydd. (Serving in individual capacity.)
- Frank Webber. (Serving in individual capacity.)
- William Griffith. (Serving in individual capacity.)
- Mrs. Hopkin Morris. (Serving in individual capacity.)
§ The political representatives were nominated by the headquarters organisations of the political parties and the representatives of the Information Committees were chosen by their colleagues. The other members serve at the invitation of the Regional Information Officer acting on my behalf after consultation with the bodies concerned.
567§ The basis of the political representation was agreed in discussions with the Headquarters of the political parties, and the scheme of representation for the rest of the Committee was fixed in consultation with the Regional Information Officer. It is designed to provide a Committee representative of the main interests in Wales not neglecting the variety of outlook between the North and the South.