Since 1970 Councils, Committees & Boards has been a stalwart of our reference libraries and information desks. Along with the orange Directory of British Associations (13 editions since 1965) and the green Current British Directories (12 editions since 1953), the “red‐un” serves us well; these, and the “blue‐un” (European directories), the “yellow‐un” (research institutes and bureaux) and several others. May they never, ever, change their colours! I’m serious, Mr CBD Research Ltd. of Beckenham, Sir! Amid the shifting sands of IT and format changes, changing corporate sponsorships, and company transmutations, may we long continue to rely on the high standards of the “red‐un” and its companions. CBD provide a benchmark for quality. We may grouse and whinge at updating delays and high costs, but the CBD corpus is part of the foundation of our information service.
The “red‐un” has competitors: Carlton Publishing’s Executive Agencies, dear old Whitakers Almanack, and various trade and subject directories; but there are none anywhere so complete in coverage. The object of the work is to provide information on a variety of bodies who bring together experts or representatives concerned with a particular subject for the purpose of advising, regulating, investigating, administering, reviewing, recommending or coordinating matters of public concern. The work covers national or regional bodies of the UK such as government advisory committees, departmental committees of enquiry, agencies of government or government departments, public boards and authorities, statutory corporations, consumer councils and committees, royal commissions, and other representative bodies. A veritable grey area of information, but vital. Purely local bodies, industrial councils and wages bodies, boards of companies, sub‐committees and working parties are excluded. Thus, taking a couple of pages at random we have the Money Management Committee, the Monopolies and Mergers commission, Montrose Port Authority (see Port and Harbour Authority), Motor Industry Training Standards Council, Mountain Rescue Council, Museum of London Board/Governors, and the Museum and Galleries Commission. And in the index under “Libraries” there are 17 entries including the Board of Trustees of the National Library of Scotland, the Library and Information Commission, the Library and Information Co‐operative Council, and the Western Education and Library Board. In addition to specific “advisory, consultative, executive, regulatory and similar bodies” to use the inclusive wording of the sub‐title, a number of entries relate to a whole group of councils, committees or boards. This is where a substantial amount of common information applies to all of them. Examples are the English Tourist Boards and the National Health Service.
The main directory is alphabetically arranged. Each full entry includes the name of the organisation (plus any abbreviations by which it is known); address, telephone, fax, web sites and e‐mail address; names of officials; establishment details including composition of membership; terms of reference, objects, duties, etc.; geographical area covered; activities and departments; publications; and additional notes. There are three indexes: abbreviations, chairmen, etc., and subject.
CBD directories are excellently manufactured: the pages are white and opaque, the type black and sharp, the layout and legibility first class. Unusually for a large format directory, the full width of the page is used. The binding is robust. The staff, too, I am told, are helpful and friendly. Enquirers seeking relevant information not included in this edition are invited to contact the publishers. This book is an essential guide for all large information providers.
