HC Deb 20 May 1965 vol 712 cc1661-2
Q4. Mr. Dean

asked the Prime Minister whether he will institute an inquiry to investigate the rôle of standing committees which advise Her Majesty's Government on various aspects of policy, with particular reference to the fact that many of the committees report confidentially to Ministers; and whether he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Dean

Would the Prime Minister have another look at this? Does he recollect that over 240 of these committees have grown up during the last 60 years or so and that over half report confidentially to Ministers? Is he satisfied that all these committees are still necessary? Would he not agree that there may be some threat to free and open Government in this large number of unpublished reports?

The Prime Minister

I think that the last time the hon. Member raised this, I gave him the figure of 251 committees. That was the up-to-date figure at that time. I believe that every case must be looked at on its merits. I do not think that we can have a committee to inquire into committees; that would simply be a proliferation of work. It must be the duty of the Government and the Departments concerned to decide in which cases it is desirable to publish—whenever it is possible, we hope to do so—and in which cases the reports should be confidential. Many committees, which were in operation under the last Government and the Governments before them, quite obviously could not do their work if the reports had to be published.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Is there available anywhere a list of these committees? Would the Prime Minister consider publishing one?

The Prime Minister

I will certainly consider that. I think that there must be, because to have the number of the committees suggests that someone has a list of them. I shall certainly consider that point. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman, who created some of these committees himself, would like to put a Question down, I will see what can be done about answering it.

Mr. Dean

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.