HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 cc2273-4
45. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the Motion on the Order Paper dealing with the need for a national planning commission; and what action it is proposed to take.

[That this House, welcoming the publication of the White Papers on Britain's economic position, is of the opinion that a five-year plan should be prepared as early as possible in consultation with all engaged in industry; that plans should he prepared for each industry to fit into the National Plan, and that such plans should be subject to modification and adjustment each year in accordance with the previous year's experience and the resources available; and calls upon the Government to set up a National Planning Commission to prepare plans, targets and delivery dates, to allocate resources and economic development, to provide central and regional direction, to coordinate industrial policy and encourage research, efficiency and processing, modernisation of production and the obtaining of maximum output, and to introduce efficient costing and the publication of statistical information, such as output per man hour, horse-power per man employed and all vital statistics, to enable the people to measure each industry's contribution towards the nation's economic development.]

The Lard Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid that I can hold out no prospect of time being available for the discussion of this Motion, but much, at any rate, of the ground which it covers would seem to be relevant to the forthcoming Debate on the Economic Survey.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is my right hon. Friend sympathetic towards the suggestion in the Motion; and in order that the House may have a Debate of a constructive character, will he consider the advisability of alloting one of the three days to this matter so that it can be made a basis for discussion?

Mr. Greenwood

I think that experience goes to show that it is particularly difficult to divide a three days' discussion into compartments. The discussion will be on the broadest possible lines, and it will be possible for anyone who wants to raise any problem affecting the White Paper to speak, if he catches Mr. Speaker's eye. I should have thought that to try to divide a Debate into bits and pieces would not be to the advantage of the House.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the idea of creating a group of economic and industrial experts to govern the lives arid fortunes of the British people is wholly repugnant?

Mr. Greenwood

I am not aware that that is being done.