§ 2.41 p.m.
§ LORD BROOKE OF CUMNORMy 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 there are any plans for strengthening the representation of the Treasury on the National Economic Development Council.]
§ LORD SHEPHERDNo, my Lords. There is a strong team of four economic Ministers on the Council, including the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs as Chairman. In addition the Chancellor of the Exchequer is, and always has been, ready to attend or be represented whenever the matter under discussion is of particular concern to him.
§ LORD BROOKE OF CUMNORMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that Answer, but as clearly it is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, through his Budget and otherwise, who controls the pace of economic development in this country, is it not a glaring anomaly that he is not allowed a permanent seat on the National Economic Development Council, with full membership of it?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, as I said in my original Answer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is always ready to attend this Council. I have no reason to believe that there is anything to prevent him from attending any meeting if he so wishes.