HC Deb 26 August 1886 vol 308 cc551-3
MR. HOWORTH (Salford, S.)

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether Mr. Burnett has been appointed to an official position in the Board of Trade, in connection with the Labour Bureau; whether he will state the nature of that appointment, with the qualification and salary attached to it; whether Mr. Burnett is the Secretary of the Society of Amalgamated Engineers; whether he is taking part at this moment in the International Trades Union Congress at Paris, of which he has been elected President; and, whether such post has been accepted with the knowledge and consent of the Board of Trade?

THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

Mr. Burnett has been appointed to an official position as stated, and at a salary of £300 a-year. He is to assist in the collection and preparation of labour statistics, and in obtaining information as to the employment of labour. He is at present Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, but will resign that appointment when he takes up his duties at the Board of Trade on the 4th October. He is understood to be at present taking part in the International Trades Union Congress in Paris; but it appears to the Board of Trade that there is no reason why he should not fulfil the engagements he has made previous to his assumption of his official duties.

MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne)

asked whether it was not the fact that, at the meeting referred to in the last Question, Mr. Burnett had spoken against the Socialist views of the French and German Socialists, and deprecated the introduction of such matters at a Trade Union Congress?

MR. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, If he could lay before the House Papers explaining the scope and object of the new Labour Bureau, for the information of working men?

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

In answer to the hon. and learned Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Addison), I believe that Mr. Burnett's words may bear the interpretation he puts upon them. I have received the private Notice of the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool. If he will move for a Return or explanatory Memorandum, I will endeavour to give him the best information in my power. Some details still require adjustment. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will confer with me as to the form of the Return.

MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Brightside)

As I am responsible for the appointment of Mr. Burnett, perhaps the House will permit me to supplement the answer given by the hon. Gentleman. In consequence of a Resolution of this House, I undertook to form a Bureau of Labour and of Statistics, in March last, which was to inquire into the organization, remuneration, and expenditure of the working classes, and I undertook the organization of the new Department under the superintendence of Mr. Giffen, the Chief of the Statistical Department of the Board of Trade. With regard to all questions relating to the organization and remuneration of labour, I know of no man in England so well-informed, or more thoroughly in touch and sympathy with the working classes, than Mr. Burnett. I appointed him without any solicitation on his part, or any of his friends. I have known Mr. Burnett for 18 years, and I regard him as one of the most remarkable men of his class in this country, and no man is more adapted to the post to which he has been appointed. I undertook to allow him to complete his engagements before he entered on his duties.