§ 41. Mr. RAPERasked the President of the Board of Trade who will be the representative of Labour on the Committee appointed to investigate Mr. A. W. Gattie's transport proposals; and whether, in view of the great national importance of Mr. Gattie's claims, he will consider inviting three outstanding leaders of commerce to join the Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANA representative of Labour has been invited to serve on this Committee, but no reply has yet been received. The name will be announced as soon as possible. I do not think it would be desirable to add representatives of commerce to what is really an expert Committee on the technical practicability of the scheme.
§ Sir R. COOPERDoes the hon. Gentleman really think it is just and proper there should be two railway directors on this Committee and no representatives of industry and commerce, which are most concerned?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs it is a question of practicability, I think it is natural railway representatives should be in the preponderance. The matter affects the railways, and if their representatives are satisfied it will be strong testimony.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it is directly opposed to the interests of the railway directors that this scheme should even be inquired into?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs there any representation of Irish interests on this Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI think not. I am not quite sure.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs it not a matter which concerns Ireland, Scotland, and Wales as well as England?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes; but there are no representatives of Scotland on the Committee.
Sir F. HALLConsidering the supposed importance of this question, may we take it it is not going to fee prejudged toy the Board of Trade as was done apparently in a previous case?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Board of Trade are not hostile to the scheme in any way. We only want to know whether it is practicable, and we are appointing practical men on the Committee for that purpose.
Sir F. HALLWill the Committee consider Reports on this subject previously which emanated from the Board of Trade and which we had before the Select Committee on Transport?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThat is rather ancient history.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWhy are not Irish, Scottish and Welsh interests represented on this Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt would enlarge the Committee beyond reasonable proportions.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHThat is not an answer to my question.
§ Mr. RAPERIs this not a question which specially affects the commerce of the country? Why should not commerce be represented on the Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt is a technical question and that is why we are appointing experts.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAre there no competent men in Scotland?
§ 71. Mr. RAPERasked the President of the Board of Trade when the Committee appointed to inquire into the claims of Mr. Gattie's goods transport scheme will commence their sittings; and whether or not the inquiry will be held with open doors?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt is hoped that this Committee will be formally appointed and meet within a few days. As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on Monday, the suggestion as to holding public sittings will be referred to the Chairman.
§ Mr. RAPERIn view of the great national importance of the question, will the hon. Gentleman lay down in the terms of reference that the inquiry shall be held with open doors; and is the hon. 2000 Gentleman aware of the fact that the people of this country cannot be satisfied with those closed inquiries?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf the latter part of the question refers to this Committee, I must repudiate it. In reference to the question of holding the inquiry with open doors, the usual practice is to refer the matter to the Chairman.
§ Mr. SEDDONAre we to accept it that the precedent of the last inquiry will be followed? Will any evidence which is put in be given to Members of this House, and not excised by the Chairman or anyone else?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill the hon. Gentleman between now and the meeting of the Committee confer with the Leader of the House as to the reconstitute on of the Committee on a more representative basis?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will confer with the Leader of the House on the matter.