§ 23. Mr. C. Pannellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to announce the name of the successor to Lord Cohen as Chairman of the Committee on Prices, Productivity and Incomes.
§ Mr. PannellHas the Minister tried very hard to get a successor to Lord Justice Cohen, or are the higher members of the judiciary deterred by the sad experience of Lord Justice Devlin? Would it not be better to allow this nebulous body to sink back into the oblivion from which it should never have emerged?
Mr. AmoryI do not agree with the tenor of the hon. Member's question, but 782 I am giving careful consideration to this matter, not only as to its composition but as to its rôle, and other aspects.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman gave me that answer in November, in the last Parliament, can he say when he thinks he will be ready to give an answer?
Mr. AmoryI am afraid that I cannot do so yet. The answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) was slightly different from that which I have given today.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsHas Lord Radcliffe, who has alternated with Lord Cohen as chairman of most of our financial inquiries for the last few years, removed himself from consideration for this appointment because of the nature of his last Report?