HC Deb 11 March 1965 vol 708 cc600-2
6. Mr. Box

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for including represenatives of management and the unions of the steel industry and management of the coal industry on the Welsh Economic Council.

Mr. James Griffiths

It is not possible, without making the council unwieldly, to include on it both management and union representatives of all industries. However, in addition to Mr. Jenkins, Head of the Mineral Working Division of the British Iron and Steel Research Association, the Council includes other members who have a wide knowledge of the steel industry. I have every confidence that Mr. Whitehead will represent the interests of all those engaged in the coal mining industry.

Mr. Box

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the coal and steel industries of Wales are two of the largest employers in the whole country, employing about 150,000 men? Is it not disgraceful that these two great industries should be treated with such scant regard by the right hon. Gentleman? Cannot he cut down the representation of county and city councillors and increase the representation of those two industries, which are vital to Wales?

Mr. Griffiths

I am not unaware of the position of the coal mining industry. I have some knowledge of it myself. I am convinced that the president of the South Wales area of the National Union of Mineworkers is deeply versed and experienced in these matters, and will represent the industry's interests. One of the deputy chairmen is Mr. Ron Mathias, who spent 17 years in the steel industry. He represents several thousand workers in that industry, and is quite capable of speaking for the interests of that industry as a whole.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

What the right hon. Gentleman says may well be true, but has he definitely decided that this list is now closed, or will he be prepared, when certain subjects are being discussed, to add temporarily other names to the Economic Council?

Mr. Griffiths

The members of the Council have been appointed for three years. The services of the Welsh Planning Board, Government Departments and industries will be available. It will be noted that I have sought to associate with the Economic Council those who represent the Industrial Association of Wales, the Development Corporation, and other institutions. I am sure that they will have available to them all the knowledge that is required to deal with the problems of these two industries.

11. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many times a year it is envisaged that the Welsh Economic Council will meet; and whether its deliberations will be made public.

Mr. James Griffiths

The frequency with which it meets will be largely for the Council itself to decide. Its meetings will not be public, though the Council may decide to issue statements after them.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

May I take it from the right hon. Gentleman's Answer, together with his earlier Answer, that we cannot expect to have made public the reports of the Welsh Planning Board or the Economic Council? Is he sure that this is a wise decision? Does not he think that the situation of the Mid-Wales town to which he referred earlier should have been a matter for the consideration of the Council, although it apparently has not been? Has he something to say about that?

Mr. Griffiths

I shall consult the Council about our proposals for Mid-Wales. I want the Council itself to decide whether to make a statement after it has considered the matter. I want it to take the initiative in discussing matters of its own choosing as well as matters which I refer to it, and I want it to decide whether the results of its deliberations should be made public.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that this Council will work during the weekends? Will he be engaged in Cardiff on Saturday?

Mr. Griffiths

I shall certainly be in Cardiff on Saturday to enjoy the Welsh triumph.

Mr. Hooson

I support the right hon. Gentleman in his last hope. Can he tell the House whether the Economic Council will have joint meetings at any time with the Welsh Planning Board? Can he further state what will be the means of servicing the Economic Council? Lastly, what is the position of the existing Council for Wales? Is not that now redundant? Has its place been effectively taken by the Welsh Economic Council?

Mr. Griffiths

As the hon. and learned Member knows, the Minister of State will be the Chairman of the Economic Council, and therefore the Council and the Government will have a very close link. They will also have a close link with the Planning Board.

Mr. Hooson

What about the existing Council for Wales, which was set up by Mr. Attlee, as he then was, when a Member of this House? What is to be the relationship of that Council to the new Economic Council? Will the old one be redundant?

Mr. Griffiths

I have already told the House that the Council for Wales is now conducting a survey of the arts, and I have indicated my desire that it should complete that study and report. Its future is now under consideration. I shall be making a statement on its future very soon.