HC Deb 22 January 1970 vol 794 cc687-8
31. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity why the interdepartmental committee involved in the calculation of regional prices has not held a meeting since 12th November 1968; if she will list those who attended the meeting held on that date and state how long it lasted.

Mr. Harold Walker

The interval of 13 months between the first meeting of the committee and the second meeting, which was held on 10th December, 1969, was due to the heavy programme of detailed information asked for by the committee at its first meeting. Both meetings lasted about three hours. The next meeting is expected to be held this month. The members of the committee are:

  • Professor Sir Roy Allen, C.B.E., Professor of Statistics, London University.
  • Professor A. J. Brown, Professor of Economics, Leeds University.
  • Officials representing the following:
  • Board of Trade.
  • Central Statistical Office.
  • Department of Economic Affairs (1st Meeting only).
  • Department of Employment and Productivity.
  • Department of Health and Social Security.
  • Government Social Survey.
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
  • Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
  • Northern Ireland Cabinet Office.
  • Scottish Statistical Office.
  • Welsh Office.

Mrs. Ewing

Will the hon. Gentleman explain frankly why, his predecessor having promised to produce an index of prices for Scotland, the Government are breaking their word? It is a very simple issue. Shall we get a price index for Scotland, or not?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Lady has been told that an interdepartmental committee is studying the recommendations of the cost of living advisory committee. That is the extent of the Government's commitment.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Does the hon. Gentleman think that this problem is so lacking in urgency that it is necessary to hold only one committee meeting a year? Would he care to come to Scotland to see for himself the price differentials with which we have to contend? The price of our gas is 20 per cent. higher than it is in England. Will the hon. Gentleman take some action about this?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Gentleman does his constituents a disservice by suggesting that they are oppressed and downtrodden. My experience of the Scots suggests that they are anything but that. The hon. Gentleman ought to recall that the complaints to which he is giving expression have been expressed for a long time, including during the 13 years when his Government did nothing about them.