HC Deb 16 December 1942 vol 385 c1914
44. Captain Peter Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many meetings of the Colonial Research Advisory Committee have so far been held; and whether he is in a position to give any information as to the lines on which it is proceeding?

Colonel Stanley

The Committee have held seven meetings. It would be premature for me to make any general statement as to the lines on which the Committee are proceeding, but they have been chiefly engaged in a systematic review of the field of research, a subject which will take them a long time to cover completely.

Captain Macdonald

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say if all, or part, of this Committee sits continuously, or is it a fact that the chairman and members of this Committee are serving on various other committees and councils and cannot devote the time they should to this very important work?

Colonel Stanley

It is true, of course, that the members of the Committee are very busy men, but they have devoted a very considerable time to the subject.