HC Deb 11 June 1969 vol 784 cc1445-6
26. Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will discontinue the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

Mr. Ross

No, Sir.

Mr. Monro

I appreciate that the council consists of extremely busy and distinguished men, but how can that body consider the future economic planning of Scotland if it meets only for about 15 hours a year?

Mr. Ross

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Economic Planning Council is of great help to me in advising on a wide range of matters. It works on the basis of three committees, concerned with regional, industrial and transport questions. When it comes to the actual council meeting, a considerable amount of the work has already been done. The hon. Gentleman, of all people, should appreciate the value of its work in relation to the colliery closure programme and the special development area and the urgency that it stressed to me and other Departments of the need for getting new industry into his area.

29. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total time he spent during 1968 in the Chair during sessions of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

Mr. Ross

About 15 hours.

Mr. Campbell

Since the Secretary of State is in the chair at meetings of a body whose task is to advise him, is he satisfied that this is the best arrange- ment and that the full potential of the council is being used?

Mr. Ross

If we try to judge upon the basis of the number of hours we shall get a wrong impression. The importance of the work that is done is immeasurable. The work done by the committees concerned with regional, industrial and transport matters has proved invaluable. When one remembers the advice that I am given in one hour of Scottish Questions and the amount of information which can be imparted in that time, one appreciates the value of 15 hours of purposeful work by men of the quality of the members of the Economic Planning Council. It is quite wrong to deride the council in the terms that the hon. Gentleman used.

Mrs. Ewing

As the deputy chairman of the Economic Planning Council has said that he does not believe that there is such a thing as the Scottish economy—and I trust that that is not the view of the Secretary of State—can he assure us that he personally will be in the chair at all sessions of this body, if it is to continue, and, failing that, at least that a deputy chairman who believes in the Scottish economy will be appointed?

Mr. Ross

The present deputy chairman has done more for the Scottish economy and for Scottish working people than any member of the hon. Lady's party has done. I regard her attack on him as quite unworthy. He serves without pay and does his work extremely well.