§ 3. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister whether he will issue instructions that whenever a Government Department acts on the advice of an economic planning council the department will announce publicly that it is acting on such advice.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that a general rule would be appropriate but I can certainly pay tribute to the value of the advice received from the councils.
§ Mr. DalyellWhile these councils undoubtedly have got off to a good start, is it not also important that they should be clearly seen to be taken seriously by the Government if they are to retain the services of able and busy members'?
§ The Prime MinisterThey are being taken very seriously by the Government, and we have altered our own arrangements considerably to strengthen the Governmental representation at regional level. My hon. Friend will have seen the very fine tributes paid a few days ago as a result of one of the most important reports published by a regional council covering the future of a region.