§ 9. Mr. Hall-Davisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many chairmen and how many members of regional economic planning councils have resigned or indicated their unavailability for reappointment since these councils were first established.
§ Mr. ShoreIn the three years since the 8 English councils were established, 3 chairmen and 42 members out of a total membership of 230 have resigned or indicated that they were not available for reappointment.
§ Mr. Hall-DavisSince this indicates that many past members are concerned about the lack of impact on the formulation and execution of Government policy and the councils' activities, would it not be an appropriate time to ask the councils to submit and publish a memorandum suggesting the future powers and compositions of the councils, so that this can be considered at the same time as the Local Government Commission's Report is under consideration by the Government and this House?
§ Mr. ShoreI will certainly consider discussing with the regional chairmen the interesting point put by the hon. Gentleman. However, I do not think that in the vast majority of these cases there is any causative connection between their resignations and their feelings about the work of the councils. In nearly all cases the resignations have been due to business and personal reasons.