Departmental Committees of Inquiry

HC Deb 08 May 1985 vol 78 cc432-3W

Mr. Eggar

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many departmental committees of inquiry the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and his predecessors have commissioned since 1955; and what were the subjects the committees investigated, the dates they were established, who chaired them and the dates they reported.

Mr. Biffen

No such committees have been set up in the Duchy office.

Mr. Eggar

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many departmental committees of inquiry the Lord President of the Council and his predecessors have commissioned since 1955; and what were the subjects the committees investigated, the dates they were established, who chaired them and the dates they reported.

Mr. Biffen

One departmental committee of inquiry was set up by Lord Hailsham of St. Marylebone during his time as Lord President of the Council. It was commissioned on 20 December 1961 to consider and advise on the extent of the participation of Her Majesty's Government in research and radio astronomy under the chairmanship of Lord Fleck and reported in April 1965.