Oral Answers to Questions — Economic Affairs – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 26 Tachwedd 1964.
Mr Kenneth Lewis
, Rutland and Stamford
12:00,
26 Tachwedd 1964
asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress he is making with the setting up of small economic development committees in particular sectors of industry or in the regions.
Mr Anthony Crosland
, Grimsby
Economic development committees have already been set up in nine industries and it is hoped to establish them in other industries as rapidly as possible. My right hon. Friend proposes to discuss a programme for future expansion of this work with the National Economic Development Council on 2nd December.
Mr Kenneth Lewis
, Rutland and Stamford
As it has been suggested that bankers will be represented on the N.E.D.C. itself, can the hon. Gentleman say whether they will be represented on the small economic development committees of industries? Can the hon. Gentleman also say why the Chancellor of the exchequer will not be a member of the N.E.D.C.? It seems to us on this side of the House highly important that the right hon. Gentleman should be on the Council in order to deal with the financial situation.
Mr Anthony Crosland
, Grimsby
The second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question relates to the central National Economic Development Council whereas the Question relates to what are known as the "Little Neddies". There is a Question later on the Order Paper on the N.E.D.C. itself. The question whether bankers will be appointed or not to economic development committees for particular industries is a matter for consultation and discussion when any new committees are set up.
Mr Edward Heath
, Bexley
What will be the relationship between the "Little Neddies" and the Board of Trade? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the original arrangement was that the official representatives on the "Little Neddies" would come from the Board of Trade? Does that still remain the arrangement or will they come from the Department of Economic Affairs? If so, how will the Board of Trade be represented?
Mr Anthony Crosland
, Grimsby
They will come from both the Department of Economic Affairs and the Board of Trade, or from the sponsoring Ministry if that happens to be one other than the Board of Trade.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The order paper is issued daily and lists the business which will be dealt with during that day's sitting of the House of Commons.
It provides MPs with details of what will be happening in the House throughout the day.
It also gives details of when and where the standing committees and select committees of the Commons will be meeting.
Written questions tabled to ministers by MPs on the previous day are listed at the back of the order paper.
The order paper forms one section of the daily vote bundle and is issued by the Vote Office
