§ 19. Mr. W. R. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the reduction of the scale of allowances in respect of attendances at trade board meetings has caused annoyance to the representatives of employers and workers on the various trade boards; whether the amount of the economy expected to be made by the reduction is estimated by the Ministry of Labour at £1,000; and whether, in view of the serious annoyance and inconvenience to which it has given rise, he will desist from this problematical economy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers) on Monday last, of which I am sending him a copy. In view of the facts referred to in that reply, I am not prepared to increase the subsistence allowances payable to members of trade boards. I do not quite understand my hon. Friend's process of reasoning. If, while acting fairly to the interests concerned, we can save £1,000, surely, that is a desirable achievement.