HC Deb 24 November 1919 vol 121 cc1422-3
18. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the Government proposals to divide the control and management of the railway systems of the country between those em ployed on the railways and the management as representing the Government, an appeal board, was to be constituted consisting of four representatives of the employés with two representatives of the trade union and co-operative interest and four representatives of the management with two representatives of the travelling and trading public; and would he say how these two latter representatives were to be chosen or would they be Government nominees?

Sir E. GEDDES

As the Prime Minister stated in an answer to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on 20th November, I am discussing these questions with the rail way companies and the unions, and I hope to make statement at an early date. The hon. Member has apparently misunderstood the unofficial utterances on this subject, however. The two boards roughly constituted, as in the question, are for the discussion of matters relating to wages and conditions of service only.

Colonel NEWMAN

When may we have an official utterance?

Sir E. GEDDES

As soon as I have something definite to say. At present we are trying to see things eye to eye.

Mr. TERRELL

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that no definite engagement is entered into to hand over any part of the control of the railways to the trade unions without the concurrence of this House?

Sir E. GEDDES

There is no proposal being discussed at all to hand over the control of the railways. The control exists in the hands of the Ministry of Transport, in so far as it is exercised.

19. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representatives of those employed on the railway systems of the country are to have places in equal proportion to the owners on the boards of the various railways; and, if so, would regulations be made enabling railway shareholders to have representation on the management of the National Union of Railwaymen or other unions which might be represented on the share holders' boards?

Sir E. GEDDES

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to the first part is in the negative, and the second I part does not, therefore, arise.