§ 15. Sir H. Harrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measure of experience of the agriculture industry is possessed by the members of the National Economic Development Council.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster-General (Mr. Henry Brooke)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom) on 12th March.
§ Sir H. HarrisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is grave concern in the biggest of our industries that none of its leaders is on this Council, although it has the best record of labour relations and has done a great deal to reduce imports by increasing efficiency? Will he not ask the Chancellor to look at this matter again and to incorporate someone on the Council with a knowledge of the industry?
§ Mr. BrookeThe problem facing my right hon. and learned Friend was that if he had followed the road of direct representation of all important industries there would have been so many claims that it would have been difficult to keep the Council to a reasonably small size. He has discussed the matter personally with the President of the National Farmers' Union.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWould not the Chief Secretary agree that some of the employers already appointed are part-time farmers'?
§ Mr. BrookeWhatever they are, J think they were an excellent choice.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesWill the right hon. Gentleman say which member of the National Economic Development Council is an authority on milk?
§ Mr. BrookeI should require notice of that question.