HC Deb 22 September 1909 vol 11 cc403-4
Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make such arrangements for the appointment of officials to the new Labour Exchanges as shall altogether preclude Members of Parliament from either nominating or being asked to nominate persons to fill the situations?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have already explained the procedure which I propose to adopt in order to fill the appointments to be made in connection with Labour Exchanges in the reply given on 9th September to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for the Market Harborough Division. No nomination by a Member of Parliament is necessary, and I would suggest to my hon. Friend that the most convenient form of answering such requests would be to refer the applicants to the committee of selection who have been appointed, and who will deal impartially with all applications which reach them through the Secretary of the Board of Trade.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether in this, as in some other cases of appointments, the applicant should not be disqualified for bringing undue pressure?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, I do not think that is necessary at all. I think the Committee will make their own rules for sifting the different applications, and will deal with them in their own way. I do not see why Members of Parliament should not have the right to make the same recommendations as others.

Mr. MYER

What is the object of nomination by a Member of Parliament?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There is no nomination of any kind. The applications, which are sent to the Secretary of the Board of Trade, will be submitted to investigation upon a definite principle.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in connection with nominations for sub-postmasterships, any recommendation of a Member of Parliament disqualifies the applicant on whose behalf it is made, and whether it would not be a good rule to apply in this case also?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not know that that is the practice of the Postmaster-General.

Mr. W. THORNE

Other things being equal, will people who apply from the locality have first consideration?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have put the matter in the hands of a Committee, and I think that is much the better way. I will be bound by what the Committee do.