FUNCTIONS OF PLANNER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26424, 31 March 1947, Page 5

FUNCTIONS OF PLANNER

DECISIONS WITH CABINET LONDON, Mar. 28. Explaining the functions of the interdepartmental planning staff, which is to be headed by Sir Edwin Plowden, Mr Attlee said its primary task would be to develop a long-term plan for the use of the country’s manpower and resources. Its job would be to follow through and implement the recommendations set out in the White Paper. . .. Decisions on the pianmng policy would be made by Cabinet, not by the chief planner, and responsibility for debisions must of course rest entirely with the Ministers. Mr Attlee admitted that it would be a mistake to assume that the present conditions of under-production could be solved by planning alone, for planning by itself was not any substitute for increased effort. ~ . _ The Economist comments that the absence of any other suggestions in the economic debate made it appear that the appointment of a chief planner was against the public conception that he was a miracle man endowed with full powers to do what he wants. Fortunately, Mr Attlee’s statement goes a little way towards correcting that view, as Mr Attlee has now made it clear that Ministers alone remain responsible for the economic policy of the country. Sir Edwin Plowden s task will be to act as co-ordinator on what is known as “ official leve?• il( - is not in substance in an different position from the existing official advisers of the Government, whose views may or may not be accepted.