§ 4. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of members of the National Economic Council of Nigeria; how often it meets; and to what extent the Council has succeeded in co-ordinating economic policy and development programmes in the three regions of Nigeria.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe Council, which has 19 members, has so far met twice a year, but may meet more frequently in future. It has gone some way towards co-ordinating the economic policies of the Nigerian Governments and is shortly to consider more specific machinery to this end.
§ Mr. MallalieuIn view of the obvious desirability of co-ordinating the projects of the various regions in Nigeria, does not the hon. Gentleman think that this body ought to meet more frequently, and, in particular, should it not have some secretariat which would sift the various projects?
§ Mr. ProfumoWe must leave it to the Council to decide how often to meet, but I have indicated that it may be meeting more frequently. Regarding a secretariat, the shortage of experienced staff is a real difficulty, but I know that the hon. and learned Gentleman will understand that this is a matter for the Governments concerned.