HC Deb 27 June 1917 vol 95 cc376-8
57. Colonel Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Prime Minister when the Industrial Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee on Women's Employment and also the Agricultural Sub-Committee of the same Committee last held a sitting?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As my Noble Friend is aware, being himself a member of the Sub-Committee, the chairman (the right hon. Member for Walthamstow) found it necessary to resign, and there has been considerable though unavoidable delay in appointing a successor. This, however, has not meant that there has been a suspension of the work of the Committee.

58. Mr. WHITEHOUSE

asked the Prime Minister what Sub-Committees of the Reconstruction Committee have been appointed, and the names of the members of the Committee and its Sub-Committees?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As already stated by the late Prime Minister in answer to a question addressed to him on 10th July, 1916, it is not considered desirable to announce the names of members of the Sub-Committees appointed by the Reconstruction Committee. The names of the members of the Reconstruction Committee have been published. I will send the hon. Member a list of the names for his information.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the names of the Sub-Committee, not the names of the members?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No, Sir. The reason which induced the late Government not to publish the names of these Sub-Committees still applies.

Mr. WHYTE

Will the Government undertake that in appointing these Sub-Committees the interests of Scotland will be better represented than they are on the Reconstruction Committee itself?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I was not aware that Scottish interests were not properly represented on the Reconstruction Committee, but I shall look into that, and also into the membership of the Sub-Committees.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no member of the Reconstruction Committee has any acquaintance with or knowledge of local government in Scotland?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The chairman of the Committee is a Scotsman, which will go some way to show that Scotland is not unrepresented.

Mr. GULLAND

Who is the chairman to whom the right hon. Gentleman refers?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am afraid I was under a misapprehension as to this Committee. The Committee I had in mind was the one presided over by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, which is not the Reconstruction Committee, but which is one of the most important Committees.