HC Deb 07 July 1947 vol 439 cc1804-8
The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I propose to make a statement about the functions and membership of the Economic Planning Board. The primary task of this body will be to advise His Majesty's Government on the best use of our economic resources, both for the realisation of a long-term plan and for remedial measures against our immediate difficulties.

The Chairman of the Board is Sir Edwin Plowden, the Chief Planning Officer, although I may on occasion take the chair myself. The other members are:

  • Sir William Coates—Nominated by the Federation of British Industries and the British Employers Confederation.
  • Sir Graham Cunningham—Nominated by the F.B.I.-B.E.C.
  • Mr A. Naesmith—Nominated by the Trades Union Congress.
  • Mr. W. R. Verdon Smith—Nominated by the F.B.I.-B.E.C.
  • Mr. J. Tanner—Nominated by the T.U.C.
  • Mr. H. V. Tewson—Nominated by the T.U.C.
  • Sir John Woods—Permanent Secretary to the Board of Trade.
  • Sir Godfrey Ince—Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
  • Sir Archibald Rowlands—Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Supply.
  • Mr. A. S. Le Maitre—Central Economic Planning Staff.
  • Mr. H. T. Weeks—Central Economic Planning Staff.
  • Mr F. W. Smith—Central Economic Planning Staff.
  • Mr. R. L. Hall—Director of the Economic Section, Cabinet Office.
The industrial members of the Board, representing as they do both employers and workers, bring to the problems of planning wide practical experience and knowledge, while the Permanent Secretaries represent the three Departments chiefly responsible for dealing with problems of trade and industry. Very close co-operation and consultation between Government and industry will, therefore, be possible. These arrangements are, of course, in addition to and not instead of the arrangements for close consultation already maintained between industry and individual Departments. There may, however, be matters lying outside the field of experience of the industrial members on which other interested organisations will have a contribution to make, and it may be appropriate at a later date to hold conferences on particular economic questions with the organisations best able to advise and assist us in such cases.

Mr. Mikardo

Would my right hon. Friend take into consideration obtaining the advice in appropriate cases of those trade unions which represent managerial, technical, supervisory and scientific workers?

Mr. Morrison

That, of course, is a matter for the T.U.C. in selecting their representatives, but it is possible that in specific cases affecting particular industries it may be possible for us to keep that aspect particularly in mind.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Is the Lord President of the Council satisfied that the Board includes adequate representation of the smaller manufacturers in this country, and why does not the Economic Advisory Council include a representative of the National Union of Manufacturers?

Mr. Morrison

That matter was very carefully considered. We are very anxious, as I am sure the House will agree is wise, to keep the Board to a reasonably small size, and it was felt that it would be rather difficult to go outside the Federation of British Industries and the British Employers Confederation, who represent the main stream of economic interests on the employers' side. I appreciate the point made by the hon. Member, but the trouble was that if we went that far, we should have to go farther. For example, there is a great deal to be said for the specific representation of agriculture as such, and I do not know where we would have stopped. As a matter of fact, we shall seek on proper occasions to consult agriculture specifically, and I hope that from time to time it will be possible for my representatives to meet the National Union of Manufacturers and other bodies who may be specially concerned with particular problems.

Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

Does the Minister think that this body will also deal with the recruitment and training of manpower at the higher scientific and technologic level?

Mr. Morrison

I think not. That will best be dealt with by the appropriate Department.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Does the Board begin operations at once, and is it likely that any report by the Board will be made to Parliament?

Mr. Morrison

On the first point, now that the Board has been constituted the sooner it starts work the better so far as I am concerned, and virtually the answer to the hon. Member's question is "yes." With regard to the hon. Gentleman's second point, it is not proposed that the Board should report directly to Parliament.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

How far are members of the Cabinet to become subordinate to these distinguished personages?

Mr. Morrison

That is a poor sort of question, and I should have thought that as a good constitutionalist the noble Lord would know that Members of the Cabinet are responsible to Parliament.

Mr. Frederick Lee

Will the terms of reference include the ability to co-opt special industries which are under discussion if they are not already represented on the Board?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. If the problems of particular industries are under consideration, as my hon. Friend says, it would be competent for the Board to bring the representatives of both sides of those industries into consultation.

Mr. Ivor Owen Thomas

Will the Minister indicate whether the Board will issue periodical reports, and also whether it is intended that the Board shall be responsible for giving effect to its recommendations or advice?

Mr. Morrison

As was made clear at the time by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade or my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister—I forget which—the functions of the Board are, to take part in the shaping of the planning schemes and to advise the Government. The Board is not finally responsible; the Government must be finally responsible.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what is the actual official link between this distinguished Board and the Scottish Office?

Mr. Morrison

So far as specifically Scottish questions are concerned, the links will be the Secretary of State for Scotland and the appropriate economic Minister

Mr. Thomas Macpherson

Having regard to the fact that agriculture is one of the greatest industries of this country, and in view of its increasing importance in our economic life, does not my right hon. Friend think that there should be some specific representation of agriculture on this Board?

Mr. Morrison

I have informed the House that we shall certainly keep agriculture—which is of very great importance economically—in mind, but that if we were to proceed to the representation of specific industries, then the Board would be too large and I am afraid that we cannot go beyond the general broad constitution of the Board.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Will the independent Members of the Board receive any remuneration?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir. Whether question of expenses will arise later I do not know, but there is no question of salaries.

Mr. James Hudson

Since a great deal of the industry of the country is in the hands of the Co-operative movement, will the Minister say whether any consideration has been given to the representation of that body?

Mr. Morrison

I really do not think that we could go beyond the general set-up of the Board without getting very far. It may be that the Co-operative movement can be taken into account on these wider considerations to which I have drawn attention, but I do not think that we can arrange for its specific representation on the Board.

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