§ 46. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Lord President of the Council if he is aware that Welsh local authorities who have nominated local government officers for membership of the proposed Council of Wales have now been informed that such officers are ineligible for membership; and whether, in view of the fact that the position was not made clear to these authorities when they were invited to make nominations he will allow them to make alternative nominations.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)When the local authorities who had nominated local government officers were informed that it was intended that the representatives of the Welsh local authorities on the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire should be members of local authorities, they were also given the opportunity of submitting alternative nominations.
§ Mr. RobertsWhat is the position of the nominee who is clerk to a rural district council and also a member of the county council? Would he be eligible for membership of the Council for Wales in the latter capacity?
§ Mr. MorrisonIt is news to me that the clerk of a rural district council is also a member of a county council, though it may be so. Whilst we did not say so explicitly in terms, it was implicit in the document which was issued that when we asked for nominations it was for members of local authorities, and since there was a request as to the authority on which the nominees are serving. This body will deal with matters of public policy, and, with great respect, I do not think it is appropriate that officers of local authorities should serve as full members on bodies which deal with public policy.