HC Deb 13 April 1948 vol 449 cc790-1
46. Mr. Gammans

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in the Economic Planning Board representatives of small manufacturers and small traders who at present have not representation on the Board.

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir. The Economic Planning Board is not a representative body in any sense. It is a small advisory body of individuals, some of whom are officials while the others were appointed for their wide range of general industrial experience.

Mr. Gammans

Is it not a fact that, apart from officials, this Board now consists entirely of representatives of the F.B.I. and the trade unions, and in view of the enormous extent to which our economic life depends on the distributors and the small manufacturers, ought there not to be at least one representative of these interests on the Board?

Sir S. Cripps

No. They do not represent anybody except themselves.