HC Deb 14 July 1948 vol 453 cc1189-91
32. Mr. Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a further statement on Government policy with regard to the setting up of a Colonial economic planning board to consider plans for the economic development of the whole of the British Empire and to supplement the Colonial Development scheme since this is only a small proportion of the whole economic planning required.

Mr. Creech Jones

It would not in my view be practicable for the economic development of the whole of the British Empire to be dealt with by a single Colonial Economic Planning Board. Close contacts are maintained between the Colonial Office and the Colonial Development Corporation and the Overseas Food Corporation, on the one hand, and the Central Economic Planning Staff, on the other. These contacts, together with the appointment of representatives of the two Corporations and of the Central Economic Planning Staff as associate members of the Colonial Economic and Development Council, are designed to assure the co-ordination which I think my hon. Friend has in mind.

Mr. Cooper

Does my right hon. Friend think that the present membership of the various bodies to which he has referred is really representative of the Colonies who are, we hope, shortly to benefit from Colonial development schemes? Is he further aware that the Chairman of the Central Economic Planning Board in this country has reported that fullest consideration is not given to Colonial matters when planning is devised for this country, and ought not these two functions to be inter-related?

Mr. Creech Jones

I am not clear as to the meaning of the question, but I think in consideration on all these Boards the needs of the Colonies and the views of the local people are kept very much in mind.

Mr. Cooper

While I regret that I did not make myself clear earlier, the real point is this: should we not see that there is proper integration between the planning in this country and the planning for the Colonies to ensure right and proper priorities for goods which are in short supply?

Mr. Creech Jones

All steps have been taken with that purpose in view.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would the right hon. Gentleman say where the Economic Advisory Council for the Colonies fits into this plan?

Mr. Creech Jones

I think I had better have notice of that question, because all these economic bodies form a rather complex picture and the names of some of them are rather confusing. If I had notice, I would try to set out in proper form, in reply to a Question, the whole set-up in the Colonial Office dealing with economic matters.