§ 20. Mr. Oramasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will propose that the Consultative Committee 561 to be set up by the European Free Trade Association, comprising trade union, employer and financial interests shall be enlarged to include representatives of the interests of organised distributors and consumers as well.
§ Mr. MaudlingThis Committee is designed to be a relatively small body of people who, acting as advisers in their personal capacity to the Council of the European Free Trade Association, will as a whole represent the main sectors of economic life in the member states. I am satisfied that the Committee as now composed will fulfil this purpose and I should not wish to suggest any addition to its numbers.
§ Mr. OramDo not the categories mentioned in my Question, namely, organised distributors and consumers, come within the definition of main sectors of economic life? Since, as the Minister has said, the formal decision says that the main sectors of economic life shall be represented, ought not these categories also to be represented?
§ Mr. MaudlingIf we start representing every sector—
§ Mr. Maudling—we shall run into immense problems. I am glad to say that one representative is Mr. Birch of U.S.D.A.W., who will, I hope, soon be well enough to take up his duties.