§ Q5. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to appoint the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Board of the National Economic Development Council.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasDoes the Prime Minister attach no weight to the representations of the C.B.I. that the Chancellor should have a permanent seat on the Council, and is not the expectation that members of the Council can profitably discuss economic affairs without the Minister responsible for its fiscal aspects an illusion worthy of the dream world of Walter Mitty?
§ The Prime MinisterI congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his original phraseology. It is not that I attach no weight to the representations. I have discussed this question with representatives of the C.B.I. There is a strong team of four economic Ministers on the Council and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor is and always has been ready to attend whenever the matter under discussion is of particular concern to him.