Council for Wales and Monmouthshire (Hansard, 10 November 1959)

HC Deb 10 November 1959 vol 613 cc196-7 196

§ 42. Mr. C. Hughes
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what changes are proposed in the structure and functions of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire.

§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear his intentions on this subject in a statement which he authorised me to read to the Council at its last meeting. I am circulating the full text in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Steps are now being taken to reconstitute the Council in accordance with that statement.

§ Mr. Hughes
Can the Minister say how long he intends to retain the chairmanship of the Council and when he proposes to make room for a Welshman?

§ Mr. Brooke
I cannot say whom the new Council will select as its chairman, but I ceased to be chairman, and ceased 197 to be a member of the Council, on 30th September.

Following is the statement: In November last the Prime Minister expressed his belief that the ensuing months would be an exceptionally important period in the history of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire. Anxious that there should be developed a much closer and more fruitful relationship between the Council and the Government, he hoped that the Council, before the expiry of its term of office on 30th September, 1959, would carry out a review of its own work and functions, and of the way in which the Council could best serve the interests of Wales in the years to come. He is grateful to the Council for its response. Its conclusions have been conveyed to him. He agrees generally with them, and in the light of them he has reached the following decisions:—

(1) Believing the Council to have a valuable part to play in the life of Wales, he will, if his Government is returned to power, proceed at once with the reconstitution of the Council for its next three-year term.
(2) The Council should be an independent body as broadly representative as possible of all the main aspects of Welsh life and thought.
(3) The new Council should elect its own chairman from among its own members.
(4) It should have power to co-opt to any of its panels or committees other persons whose special knowledge or experience would be helpful on a particular inquiry.
(5) There should be effective machinery for ensuring that the Council can have regular contact with the Government.
(6) For this purpose, over and above the normal meetings of the Council, from time to time the Minister for Welsh Affairs (or in his absence the Minister of State for Welsh Affairs) should attend and take the chair, in order that the Council could discuss any matter with him personally; and the Minister should be able to call a meeting under his chairmanship at any time if he had urgent business concerning Wales to discuss with the Council.

Finally, the Prime Minister desires to express his personal thanks to all the members of the outgoing Council for their service; and he hopes that the new Council will carry through to completion the inquiries of considerable importance to Wales which he understands that the present Council has set on foot.