HC Deb 08 August 1918 vol 109 cc1550-1
89. Mr. ROWNTREE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has had representations made to him by the representative of the Civil Service Alliance regarding the position of the clerical staff in any scheme in connection with the setting up of Whitley councils in Government Departments; and whether, at an early date, he will be able to meet representatives of its clerical staff to discuss the whole question?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)

Representations have been received from the Civil Service Alliance as to the position of the clerical staff in regard to the Whitley councils in the Civil Service, and will be laid before the Interdepartmental Committee. In its deliberations the Committee hopes to avail itself of the co-operation of representative organisations in the Civil Service, and will no doubt take such steps as may be necessary to ascertain the views of such organisations as early as possible.

90. Mr. ROWNTREE

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Interdepartmental Committee over which he presides which is examining into the conditions under which the principles of the Whitley Report can be made applicable to Government Departments has made satisfactory progress and is likely to be able to report at an early date; and whether he realises the importance as far as possible of getting each Department to discuss the matter with the representatives of the unions concerned, so that when the councils are set up the workers may feel they have had a real share in framing the schemes?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The Interdepartmental Committee is making satisfactory progress, but is not yet in a position to present its Report. The Committee fully realise the importance of any schemes that may be adopted in regard to the different Departments being framed on lines which commend themselves to the employés concerned, and will no doubt ensure that they have an opportunity of discussing and submitting their views upon such schemes, either directly or through their representative organisations.