§ 9. Mr. Tom Brownasked the Minister of National Insurance how the local advisory committees he is setting up under the National Insurance Act, under Section 42 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, will be constituted; and whether old age pensioners will have the opportunity of being represented on them.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe Committees will consist of about 20 members, of whom six will represent employers and six employees. There will be two or three representatives 'of local authorities and one or two of friendly societies. These will constitute nucleus committees and will be asked to select four or five persons with suitable local knowledge to complete the full committee. Any local old age pensioners' association or other organisation who wants to put forward names for consideration by a particular local committee should forward them, with particulars of their qualifications, to the appropriate regional controller of the Ministry.
§ Mr. BrownWill my right hon. Friend say how the local organisation will get to know if this is the method to be adopted for the appointment of the advisory committees?
§ Mr. GriffithsWe shall do our best to make this as widely known as possible.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that employers and trade unions are to be represented, is it not desirable that the old folks' organisations should have representation as organisations because they will be very much affected by the work of these committees?
§ Mr. GriffithsI think that we have provided in the best way for representation on these committees and I hone that the associations will send forward names to the regional controllers.