HC Deb 25 February 1948 vol 447 c1946
52. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the present members of the Colonial Economic and Development Council; and how frequently they meet.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The present members of the Colonial Economic and Development Council are: Sir Graham Cunningham, Dr. Arthur Lewis, Mr. McFadyen, Sir Drummond Shiels, Dr. Wellesley Cole and Mr. Wansbrough. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) on r8th February.

Mr. Davies

May I ask the Minister to repeat the date of the last meeting?

Mr. Rees-Williams

The last meeting was on 25th August last, but as will be seen when hon. Members read the answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Pollok, we are now reconstituting it. We have extended invitations to the members on the reconstituted body and practically every one of them has accepted. We hope to go on at a much greater speed than in the past.

Mr. Davies

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this important body should meet more frequently and may we expect to hear of better progress in the future?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I quite agree, and we have every intention of holding frequent meetings of this body.