§ 47. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to implement the proposals of the joint investigating committee for an amalgamation of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe scheme to integrate the Society of Incorporated Accountants with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is in the first place a domestic matter for the accountancy bodies concerned. I do not know of any joint investigating committee and, although the Privy Council is aware of the scheme, I understand the proposals have not yet been considered by the members of the Institute in general meeting. Any application which the Institute as a chartered body may subsequently make to the Privy Council for amendment of its Charter and byelaws will of course be considered by their Lordships in the normal manner.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes the Paymaster-General appreciate that opinion on this subject is by no means united, either within or outside the accountancy profession? Will he bear in mind that there are also public interests involved before he makes any decision on the matter?
§ Mr. MaudlingThis is at the moment essentially a domestic matter for the professional bodies concerned.
§ Sir R. JenningsMay I ask the Minister to leave this to the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the incorporated body, to settle their own affairs, rather than to have any Government interference in this matter?
§ Mr. MaudlingI was trying to convey that that was our intention.