§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD ERROLL OF HALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish a list of all
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning Advisory, etc. |
| Committee of Inquiry into certain matters concerning the Port Transport Industry (30.10.64) | To inquire into (i) a dispute between the two sides of the industry; (ii) decasualisation; (iii) causes of dissention and other matters affecting efficiency (Minister of Labour) | Lord Devlin | 4 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| General Policy Committee of the Central Training Council (30.10.64) | To consider and make recommendations to the Council on general policy on Industrial training, on the development of research, and on the form and content of publications by the Ministry of Labour (Central Training Council) | Sir John Hunter, M.B.E. | 10 | Advisory |
| Commercial and Clerical Committee of the Central Training Council (9.11.64) | To recommend to the Central Training Council, what guidance should be issued to Training Boards in respect of training for commercial and clerical occupations (Central Training Council) | Mr. J. A. Hunt, M.B.E. | 18 | Advisory |
| Sub-Committee of the Industrial Health Advisory Committee (10.11.64) | To review the appointed Factory Doctor Service and to make recommendations (Minister of Labour) | From Ministry of Labour | 7 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Committee on General Medical Services in the Highlands and Islands (13.11.64) | (Secretary of State for Scotland) | The Hon. Lord Birsay, C.B.E. | 11 | Investigatory |
§ the new Councils, Committees, subcommittees and such-like bodies of a national or regional character set up, or about to be set up, by the Government since it came into office, which have planning, advisory, executive, investigatory or similar functions; together with separate notes on their functions where these are not apparent from their titles, and the number of members comprising each group.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)My Lords,the Answer to the Question is "Yes". I will, with permission, circulate it as a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There are 63 items in the table which shows all the Councils, Committees and so forth whose appointments have been announced by the Government since it came into office. The list includes a proportion of bodies which are merely reconstituted successors to previously existing bodies.
§ Following is the list referred to:
699| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Advisory Council on Technology (24.11.64) | (Minister of Technology) | Minister of Technology | 12 | Advisory |
| Inter-departmental Committee on Training for Skill (30.11.64) | To advise the appropriate Ministers on the means of encouraging the more rapid development of industrial training and of the associated technical and other forms of further education, and to secure the fullest co-ordination between the bodies responsible in these fields (Minister of Labour and the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Scotland) | Mr. R. W. Marsh, M.P., Joint Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Labour | 12 | Advisory |
| Space Review Committee (November, 1964 | To review British Defence interests in space and to make recommendations about the future research and development programme (The Defence Research Committee) | Professor H. Bondi | 11 | Advisory |
| The Animals Advisory Committee (3.12.64) | To advise upon any question which may be referred in connection with the Animals (Restriction of Importation) Act (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Lord Cranbrook, C.B.E. | 7 | Advisory |
| Committee of Enquiry into the Aircraft Industry (9.12.64) | (Minister of Aviation) | Lord Plowden | 8 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| The Albemarle Review Committee (16.12.64) | To re-examine the objectives of the Albemarle Report in the light of five years experience and to make recommendations for future development (i.e. of the Youth Service) (Youth Service Development Council) | Lady Albemarle, D.B.E. | 5 | Advisory |
| Council for Scientific Policy (16.1.65 | (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Sir Harrie Massey, F.R.S. | 13 | Advisory |
| Scottish Committee of the Central Training Council (21.1.65) | To consider matters arising out of the implementation and operation of the Industrial Training Act as they affect Scotland and to report to the Central Training Council from time to time (Central Training Council) | Mr. J. Anderson | 22 | Advisory |
| Scientific Advisory Panel (22.1.65) | A body of independent scientists to advise the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the scientific aspects of any questions affecting the activities of his Department which he may from time to time refer to them; and on their own initiative to advise on any problems in this field on which they think it would be useful for him to have their advice (Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) | Professor A. C. Frazer, C.B.E., M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P | 5 | Advisory |
| Energy Advisory Council (22.1.65) | (Minister of Power) | Minister of Power | 11 | Advisory |
| Welsh Committee of the Central Training Council (28.1.65) | To consider matters arising out of the implementation and operation of the Industrial Training Act as they affect Wales and to report to the Central Training Council from time to time (Central Training Council) | Mr. R.B. Southall, C.B.E., J.P. | 22 | Advisory |
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which bodywill report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Commonwealth Exports Council with the following Area Committees (January 1965) | To promote British Exports to the Commonwealth (An independent grant-aided body)* | Sir William McFadzean | 27 | |
| Committee for Exports to Australia | Mr. C. R. Wheeler, C.B.E. | 14 | ||
| Committee for Exports to New Zealand | Mr. Alexander Ross | 12 | ||
| Committee for Exports to Commonwealth countries in Africa | Mr. A. H. Smith | 9 | ||
| Committee for Exports to Commonwealth countries in Asia | Sir Edward Thompson | 11 | ||
| Committee for Exports to Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean | Mr. J. R. M. Rocke | 11 | ||
| Sports Council (3.2.65) | To advise on matters relating to the development of amateur sport and physical recreation services and to foster co-operation among statutory authorities and voluntary organisations concerned (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Mr. Denis Howell, M.P., Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Education and Science | 16 | Advisory and Consultative |
| Committee to consider awards to industry for outstanding achievement in increasing exports or technological innovation (4.2.65) | (Prime Minister) | H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh | 12 | Advisory |
| Committee on Man-power Resources for Science and Technology (4.2.65) | (Secretary of State for Education and Science and Minister of Technology) | Sir Willis Jackson, F.R.S. | 26 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Standards of Housing Fitness sub-committee Central Housing Advisory Committee (5.2.65) | To consider the practicability of specifying objective criteria for the purposes of slum clearance, the recertification of disrepair and other housing powers relating to minimum tolerable standards of housing accommodation; and to make recommendations (Minister of Housing and Local Government) | Cllr. Mrs. E. Denington | 14 | Advisory |
| Transport Advisory Council (8.2.65) | To advise the Minister of Transport on policy matters generally (Minister of Transport) | Minister of Transport | 8 | Advisory |
| * The Commonwealth Exports Council also includes the Committee for Exports to Canada previously set up under the British National Export Council—Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar are covered by the Export Council for Europe. |
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Name of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Advisory Council for Probation and After-Care (11.2.65) | To advise on questions relating to the administration and development of the probation and after-care service (Home Secretary) | Mr. T. A. F. Noble, M.B.E., M.A. | 16 | Advisory |
| Training Committee of the Advisory Council for Probation and After-Care (11.2.65) | To advise on recruitment and training of persons for probation and aftercare work, and to select persons for training (Home Secretary) | Mr. T. A. F. Noble, M.B.E., M.A | 31 | Advisory and Executive |
| Committee on Enforcement of Judgements (15.2.65) | (The Lord Chancellor) | The Hon. Mr. Justice Payne | 10 | Advisory |
| Shipbuilding Enquiry Committee (16.2.65 | To establish changes necessary to make the shipbuilding industry competitive in world markets and to reduce costs of manufacture of large marine engines; to recommend how to bring the changes about. [Full terms of reference Official Report H. of C. 2.2.65] (President of the Board of Trade) | Mr. R. M. Geddes | 7 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Scottish Economic Planning Council (25.2.65) | (i) to assist in the formation of plans for the development of the Scottish economy, having regard to the best use of Scotland's resources; (ii) to advise on the steps necessary for implementing the plans on the basis of information and assistance provided by the Scottish Economic Planning Board; (iii) to advise on the Regional implications of national economic policies (Secretary of State for Scotland) | Secretary of State for Scotland | 24 | Planning and Advisory |
| Committee on Inducements to Teachers to serve in areas of teacher shortage (25.2.65) | (Secretary of State for Scotland) | Dame Jean Roberts, D.B.E. | 15 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Working Party on Educational Psychologists (26.2.65) | To consider the field of work of educational psychologists employed by local education authorities and the qualifications and training necessary; to estimate the number of psychologists required; and to make recommendations (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Professor A. Summerfield, B.Sc. | 10 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| West Midland Economic Planning Council (1.3.65) | (i) To assist in the formulation of a regional plan, having regard to the best use of the region's resources (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Mr. J. A. Hunt, M.B.E., Hon. ACT. (Birmingham) F.B.I.M. | 25 | Advisory |
| North West Economic Planning Council (1.3.65) | (ii) To advise on the steps necessary for implementing the regional plan on the basis of information and assessments provided by the Economic Planning Board (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Mr. C. Carter | 26 | Advisory |
| Northern Economic Planning Council (1.3.65) | (iii) To advise on the regional implications of national economic policies (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Cllr. T. Dan Smith | 26 | Advisory |
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Welsh Economic Planning Council (1.3.65) | (i) To assist in the formulation of plans for Wales, having regard to the best use of its resources (Secretary of State for Wales) | Minister of State Welsh Office | 25 | Advisory |
| (ii) To advise on the steps necessary for implementing the plans (Secretary of State for Wales) | ||||
| (iii) To advise on the implications for Wales of national economic policies (Secretary of State for Wales) | ||||
| Research Advisory Group (2.3.65) | To advise the Minister of Housing and Local Government on an Urban Planning Research Programme dealing with rebuilding old towns and developing new towns (Minister of Housing and Local Government) | Lord Llewelyn-Davies | 15 | Advisory |
| Committee of Enquiry into the Pharmaceutical Industry (8.3.65) | To examine the relationship of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Great Britain with the National Health Service, having regard to the structure of the industry, to the commercial policy of the firms comprising it, to pricing and sales promotion practices, to the effects of patents and to the relevance and value of research, and to make recommendations (The Health Ministers) | Lord Sainsbury | Not yet decided | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Committee of Inquiry into dispute between the two sides of the National Council for the Omnibus Industry (10.03.65 | (Minister of Labour) | Sir Roy Wilson, Q.C. | 3 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Advisory Committee on the Censuses of Production for 1965, 1966 and 1967 (9.3.65) | (President of the Board of Trade) | From Board of Trade | 14 | Advisory |
| Working Party on Nutritional (18.3.65) | To review the nutritional standards laid down in the Department of Education and Science Circular 290, with special reference to whether the proportion of first class protein needs adjustment for different age groups; to consider whether the present type of school dinner is appropriate in the light of changes in feeding habits since the current standards were fixed in 1955; and to make recommendations (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Mr. R. Howlett, C.B. | 13 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Natural Resources Advisory Committee (25.3.65) | To advise on problems associated with the availability and use of natural resources in Great Britain (The Minister of Land and Natural Resources (in association with the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales)) | Sir Dudley Stamp, C.B.E. | 9 | Advisory |
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Research Committee of the Central Training Council (26.3.65) | To consider the needs for research into matters relating to training for employment in industry, the means by which these needs can be met, and the steps necessary to promote the application of the results of research; and to make recommendations to the Council accordingly. To advise the Minister on the merits of particular research projects prepared by training boards or otherwise (Central Training Council) | Mr. F. Garner | 12 | Advisory |
| National Road Safety Advisory Council (30.3.65) | To keep under review the road accident situation in Great Britain and methods of accident prevention; to advise the Minister of Transport and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales on those matters which he, or the Secretaries of State may refer to them; and to consider and report on other matters which may appear to the Council to be of importance in relation to road safety (the Minister of Transport and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales) | Sir Alfred Owen, C.B.E. | 12 | Advisory |
| Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers Associations (March, 1965) | [For Terms of Reference see Prime Minister's statement in H. of C. Official Report Vol. 705 No. 48 Col. 940] (Her Majesty the Queen) | Lord Donovan | 11 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council (1.4.65) | For terms of reference see W. Midland Economic Planning Council above (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Sir Roger Stevens, G.C.M.G | 29 | Advisory |
| E. Midland Economic Planning Council (1.4.65) | For terms of reference see W. Midland Economic Planning Council above (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Mr. G. E. Dearing, M.B.E.,J.P. | 23 | Advisory |
| Science Research Council (1.4.65) | As in Section I(2) of the Science and Technology Act, 1965 (Secretary of State Education and Science) | Sir Harry Melville, K.C.B., D.Sc., F.R.I.C., F.R.S | 11 | Executive and Advisory |
| National Board for Prices and Incomes (9.4.65) | [For Terms of Reference see the White Paper "Prices and Incomes Policy" (Cmnd. 2639)] (Her Majesty the Queen) | The Rt. Hon. Aubrey Jones | 7 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| South West Economic Planning Council (14.4.65) | As for W. Midland Economic Planning Council (First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs) | Professor R. C. Tross | 23 | Advisory |
| Police Council for Great Britain (About to be set up under Section 45 of the Police Act 1964 which came into effect on 1.4.65) | To consider questions relating to police hours of duty, leave, pay, and allowances, pensions, and the issue, use and return of police clothing, personal equipment and accoutrements and to consider regulations on these matters in draft (The Secretaries of State for the Home Department and for Scotland) | Not yet appointed | Not yet settled | Negotiating and Advisory |
| Title of Council, Committee, etc., and date set up | Functions (except those obvious from title) and Authority to which body will report | Name of Chairman | Number of other Members | Whether Planning, Advisory, etc. |
| Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (About to be set up under Section 46 of the Police Act 1964 which came into effect on 1.4.65) | To advise the Secretary of State for the Home Department on general questions affecting the Police in England and Wales and to consider regulations on these matters in draft (The Secretary of State for the Home Department) | Secretary of State for the Home Department | Not yet settled | Advisory |
| Police Advisory Board for Scotland (About to be set up under Section 46 of the Police Act 1964 which came into effect on 1.4.65) | To advise the Secretary of State for Scotland on general questions affecting the Police in Scotland and to consider regulations on these matters in draft (Secretary of State for Scotland) | Secretary of State for Scotland | 12 representatives of police authorities; 18 of police associations; up to 6 independent members | Advisory |
| Natural Environment Research Council (Not yet set up) | Responsible for carrying out, facilitating, encouraging and supporting research in the earth sciences and ecology (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Sir Graham Sutton, C.B.E., F.R.S. | Not yet decided | Executive and Advisory |
| Committee on Police Cadets | To advise the Secretary of State for Scotland on regulations as to the government, administration and conditions of service of police cadets. (Paragraph 9 of Schedule 7 of the Police Act 1964) (Secretary of State for Scotland) | Official of Scottish Home and Health Department | 3 representatives of police authorities; 6 of police associations; H.M. Inspector | Advisory |
| Highlands and Islands Development Board (Not yet set up) | To secure the economic and social development of the Highlands and Islands (Secretary of State for Scotland*) | Not yet | appointed | Executive |
| Highlands and Islands Consultative Council (Not yet set up) | To advise the Highlands and Islands Development Board on the exercise and performance of its functions (Highlands and Islands Development Board*) | Not yet | appointed | Advisory |
| Official Working Party on Pension Rights for Part-time Teachers (About to be set up) | To consider whether and on what terms pension rights can be extended to part-time teachers (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Mr. W. D. Pile, M.B.E. | 25 | Investigatory and Advisory |
| An Advisory Committee for Scientific Technical Information (Not yet set up) | To advise on U.K. activities in scientific and technical information over the whole field of the natural and social sciences and their related technologies (Secretary of State for Education and Science) | Sir James Cook, F.R.S. | Not yet appointed | Advisory |
| Home Grown Cereals Authority (Not yet set up) | To improve the marketing of homegrown cereals† | Mr. W. D. Scott | 20 | |
| Meat and Livestock Commission | The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Secretary of State for Scotland have begun consultations with the interests concerned about the establishment of a commission to be charged with responsibilities for the improvement of meat marketing. A further statement will be made later. | — | — | |
| *Subject to the passage of the Highland Development (Scotland) Bill. | ||||
| †Subject to the enactment of the Cereals Marketing Bill. |
§ LORD ERROLL OF HALEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, and through him the civil servants who have had the work of preparing such a long reply, may I ask him why it has been necessary to set up as many as 63 new Councils and Committees since the present Government came into office, and whether the Government have taken fully into account the amount of time of busy men which will be absorbed, if these Committees are to work effectively?
§ LORD CHAMPIONYes, my Lords, it has all been taken into consideration. The number is certainly large, and so is the number of urgent tasks to which Her Majesty's Government have promised to put their hands, using to the maximum the range of skills, knowledge and experience of the whole nation, where-ever it is available. Her Majesty's Government do not believe that the Government of the country should be confined to a narrow ring of professionals in the Metropolis.
§ LORD BROWNMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that there is a very large number of business men in this country who very much appreciate the opportunity of taking part in these various Committees in furtherance of Government policy?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, I welcome that, of course. It is the case that we do not believe that Whitehall always knows best.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that the volume of work in Whitehall varies as to the square of the participating bodies?
§ BARONESS HORSBRUGHMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether Her Majesty's Government are satisfied with the results they have obtaineď from setting up all these Committees?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, when these Committees report, I am sure that their reports will be closely considered, and if they have the wisdom we expect them to have, action will be taken upon them.