§ 11. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many times the Welsh Economic Council have met in 1966.
§ Mr. George ThomasNine, Sir.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWhat is the cost of the Economic Council to the Exchequer? Is it the intention of the Welsh Office to publicise the findings of the reports of the Council? This is an experiment in Government and we should be told how it is getting on.
§ Mr. ThomasI could not give the cost, but, whatever it is, the Economic Council is worth twice as much. The Council is an advisory body to my right hon. Friend. If it were necessary to publish any reports, my right hon. Friend would, of course, do so. But most of its work is advice to the Government and research done by the Economic Council.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWhile accepting much of what the hon. Gentleman says, would it not be better if the general public were told a little more about the work of these excellent voluntary individuals so that they might judge whether the work is being done in the right way, and indeed, whether their findings should be published?
§ Mr. ThomasThat would change the policy which has been followed by all Governments from both sides of the House. Advisory bodies have been able to speak in confidence to the Government of the day. Excellent work is done by the Council, but I will gladly look at what can be done to publicise the labours of its members.