§ 45. Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why no representatives of the technical professions have been appointed to serve on the committees on the Management of Local Government and on the Staffing of Local Government, in view of the fact that such a wide range of local government activity falls within the purview of the technical officers.
§ Sir K. JosephThe members of the two committees were proposed to me by the local authority associations.
The hon. Member will have observed that there are on the two committees, in addition to clerks, a treasurer, an education officer, a medical officer of health. It was not possible to put on to them representatives of all the professions engaged in local government without making them far too large.
153WThe committees contain, I believe, a good cross-section of people from inside and outside local government. The members were not chosen with any idea of a representative capacity, but rather for the personal contribution they could make. There are of course many others who could make a most valuable personal contribution but a choice had to be made.
The committees will be ready to hear the views of any persons or bodies who have suggestions to offer.