§ 47. Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Prime Minister whether the question of applying the principle embodied in the Whitley Report to Government Departments has now been considered by the Cabinet; and, if so, whether he can state the decision they have arrived at, especially in so far as it affects the work of the Post Office?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe War Cabinet has considered this question and has decided to adopt in principle the application of the recommendation of the Whitley Report, with any necessary adaptations to Governments establishments where the conditions are sufficiently analogous to those existing in outside industries. It has also been decided that an Interdepartmental Committee composed of representatives of the Departments concerned should be set up to consider what modifications are necessary The Committee will be presided over by the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. ROWNTREEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that in the early stages of bringing this change into operation in the Government Departments representatives of the workers are consulted, so that from an early date they can have confidence in the scheme?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe object of setting up this Committee is, if possible, to secure that confidence, and, on the other hand, to make sure that the same system applies to all the Government Departments.
Mr. T. WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman see that no pressure is brought to bear on workmen to adopt any particular scheme?
Mr. CHANCELLORWill the Committee contain representatives of the organisations of the workers in the Departments?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; this is naturally a Committee to consider it from the Government point of view and decide what modifications in the general rule are necessary.