§ 82. Major ASTORasked the Minister of Labour whether persons engaged in industry desiring to set up joint industrial councils have to obtain the approval of his Department before establishing such councils; and, if so, whether one of the conditions of approval is that the proposals must have been prepared by representatives at organisations or associations of employers and employés, respectively, connected with the industry?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe setting up of joint standing industrial councils is primarily a matter for the industries concerned, and the functions of the Ministry of Labour in this connection are limited to affording such advice and assistance as the bodies promoting a council may desire. Before, however, a joint standing industrial council can be recognised as the official standing consultative committee 1731 to the Government on questions affecting the industry which it represents, the Minister requires to be satisfied that the council is thoroughly representative of the industry. He could not recognise any council which did not consist of representatives of the organisations of the employers and workpeople in the industry, in accordance with the recommendations of the Whitley Report.
§ Major ASTORIs a Government Department which is also an industrial employer and wishes to set up a joint council obliged to prepare a scheme in consultation with trade unions?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI should like to have notice of that question.