HC Deb 11 February 1965 vol 706 cc539-40
29. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will appoint independent and non-official members to the regional planning boards.

The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. George Brown)

No, Sir. The boards will consist of officials under the chairmanship of a representative of the Department of Economic Affairs. But the regional planning councils will have the kind of membership the right hon. Gentleman has in mind.

Mr. Lloyd

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the fact that these boards are simply composed of his officials is causing some anxiety among local authorities throughout the country, and that in the West Midlands, where prosperity was brought to its highest pitch under the Conservative Government, there is additional anxiety that it will not be maintained under the present Government's policies? Does he agree that considerable reassurance would be given if he would allow independent members to sit on these boards?

Mr. Brown

The right hon. Gentleman has got it all wrong once again. Local authorities are very glad that under the new Administration there will be machinery, for the first time, to provide that they can be brought into the area where planning decisions are made.

Mr. William Clark

In considering these regional planning boards, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the membership of N.E.D.C. so as to allow the Chancellor of the Exchequer to be a member of it?

Mr. William Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend consider the appointment of Sir Roy Dobson to one of these boards?