§ Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what advice has been given by Her Majesty's Government on the provisions in the draft revised byelaws for the Confederation of British Industry relating to the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeDraft revised byelaws have been formally submitted by the Confederation of British Industry for the approval of the Privy Council.
When the C.B.I. was formed in 1965 provision was made for nationalised industries to become associate members. It was clearly understood that, as associates, nationalised industries would in no way be implicated in any politically controversial pronouncements by the C.B.I.
In revising its byelaws, the C.B.I. has proposed that nationalised industries (as well as other classes of associate members) should be offered a form of full membership. The nationalised industries 131W would be known as Public Sector Members. The draft revised byelaws make it explicit that Public Sector Members shall be at all times dissociated from pronouncements on questions that might be the subject of political controversy.
The Government accordingly accept in principle the inclusion of the new provisions in the draft revised byelaws.