§ Q9. Mr. Rossasked the Prime Minister if he will institute a council of Ministers to formulate plans and policies to promote the establishment and development of new industries in the areas of high unemployment.
§ The Prime MinisterIn our constitution, consultation and collaboration between Ministers takes place in the Cabinet and in Cabinet committees.
§ Mr. RossThe consultation is evidently not followed by satisfactory plans and policies, which I seek. Is the Prime Minister aware that if the same satisfaction and complacency were shown by other people in the community there would not be several thousand people storming St. Stephen's entrance at the moment drawing attention to the continued need for new industries in Scotland and the North-East? When will the Prime Minister realise that the nation requires expansion and the areas of high unemployment need the work implicit in the policies which would create that expansion?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is difficult to debate this by question and answer, but, as the hon. Member knows, a great deal has been done in the past, a great deal has been announced recently and, I think, a great deal will be done in future.
Mr. H. WilsonSince this Question relates particularly to new industries, will the Prime Minister say what machinery he is setting up for consultation with Commonwealth countries which have major development programmes, and for meeting the requirements of those by establishing new industry whether under public or private enterprise in areas of high unemployment?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are constantly in touch with Commonwealth countries, but in this matter I do not think any particular new system is required.