§ 2.34 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS of CHILWORTHMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government how many development councils have been set up under the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947; how many are in the process of being set up, and whether His Majesty's Government are satisfied with the progress made.]
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, no development councils have yet been set up under the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947. Proposals for a development council Order for the cotton industry were published by His Majesty's Stationery Office as a non-Parliamentary publication on January 5. Discussions are proceeding about the establishment of councils in seven other industries for which the working parties recommended bodies of this kind. Some objections have been raised toy the employers' organizations in several of these industries, and these discussions have not progressed as rapidly as we should have liked. My right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade is, nevertheless, pressing them forward, and hopes to be able to make public proposals for two or three of these industries before long.
§ LORD LUCAS of CHILWORTHMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask whether, in view of the announced support by the T.U.C. for these development councils, and the express desire of His Majesty's Government for greater joint consultation in industry, his right honourable friend will 434 use his compulsory powers under this Act if the objections to which my noble friend has referred lead to obstruction?
§ LORD CHORLEYI will bring my noble friend's suggestion to the attention of my right honourable friend.