HC Deb 03 June 1965 vol 713 c1924
2. Mr. Blaker

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what criteria he adopted in appointing the members of the Economic Planning Council for the North-West.

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

rose—

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Brown

I am glad to see right hon. and hon. Gentlemen in their places.

The Answer is that I appointed those people who seemed to me best able to contribute to economic planning within the region.

Mr. Blaker

Is it a fact that all the members of the Council who are also elected members of local authorities are supporters of the Labour Party? If so, does the right hon. Gentleman think that this is giving fair representation to all the interests of the region, which is what he undertook to do?

Mr. Brown

Offhand I cannot say; I do not know. As a matter of fact, the members of local authorities are chosen by me from a list nominated by associations of local authorities.