16. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can announce a date on which he will issue invitations to representative people to serve on a committee to consider the problems of persons known as the small income groups.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would refer my hon. Friend to what I said during the debate on the Adjournment on 27th June, to which I have nothing to add.
Miss WardWill my hon. Friend bear in mind, while he is making up his mind, that the problems of these people spread over a variety of Departments and decicisions will be needed from a variety of Departments; and will he, in view of the urgency of the matter, hurry up its consideration in order that we may have a satisfactory reply before the House adjourns for the Recess?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe matter is, of course, being carefully considered, but I do not fully share my hon. Friend's belief in the overall efficacy of the appointment of a committee.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWill the hon. Gentleman see that those receiving unemployment and sickness benefit are represented on this committee when it is set up?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have given no indication that the committee will be set up. The second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, therefore, does not arise.