HC Deb 03 December 1968 vol 774 cc1224-5
17. Mr. Clegg

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will ensure that the functions of the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries, sponsored by his department, do not overlap with those of the Economic Development Committee for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellish

Yes Sir, there is in fact a clear distinction between them. The N.C.C. considers problems which concern the Government and industry jointly. The E.D.C.s are independent bodies whose purpose is to promote efficiency and to forecast supply and demand.

Mr. Clegg

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the old world courtesy of his reply. Will he consider looking at this matter a little more deeply, because people are represented on both committees, and perhaps some costs could be saved if the functions could be combined.

Mr. Mellish

When I became Minister I found that my consultative machinery was very bad. As far as I could judge, it did nothing except meet and have a cup of tea. I reorganised the machinery. We now try to do an effective job, which the industry is asking us to do, and the industry itself has welcomed the changes that I have made.