Catalogue description Treasury: National Economy Group: Registered Files (2NE Series)

Chronological within original subject classification

The National Economy Group was set up in 1962. It was responsible for surveying the growth of the economy, and for recommending policies for growth within national resources. It took over those functions of providing economic advice and guidance which the Economic Advisory Section had undertaken for other Treasury divisions. It also took over the NR2 Division of the National Resources Division's responsibilities for economic planning, forecasting, prices and incomes policy, monopolies and restrictive practices etc., when this division was abolished during the Treasury reorganisation of 1962.

The Group consisted of two divisions; NE1, which undertook analysis and forecasting, and NE2, which was responsible for formation of policy. Amongst NE1's responsibilities was the Economic Survey and UK submissions to international bodies including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations. NE2's work included prices and incomes policy, economic growth, industrial training and manpower, monopolies and restrictive practices and very long-term planning, together with relations with the National Economic Development Council and the National Production Advisory Council on Industry.

Between 1962-1964, the group worked closely with the Economic Section, the head of NE1 also being Deputy Director of the Economic Section.

At the end of 1964 the group was abolished, with NE2's functions being transferred to the new Department of Economic Affairs, and NE1's work taken over by the Economic Section.