HC Deb 01 August 1923 vol 167 cc1454-5

Employers' side:

Workers' side:

Ministry of Labour:

The only changes in the constitution of the original Committee are the appointment of Mr. W. B. Yates as Chairman, owing to the death of his predecessor,. Sir Thomas Munro, in April last, and the appointment of Mr. F. H. Hargreaves in the place of the hon. Member for Stretford, who resigned in May, 1923.

34. Mr. SHORT

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Trades Dispute Disqualification Committee during its deliberations have sought the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown?

Mr. BETTERTON

No, Sir. I may point out that the Committee are concerned, not with the legal interpretation of the Clause as it now stands, but with the question whether any amended provisions can be agreed upon.

Mr. SHORT

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his chief and also his predecessor in office contended that this was purely a matter of legal consideration; if so, why is it the members of the Committee have not consulted the Law Officers of the Crown upon the matter?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am not aware of the facts given by the hon. Gentleman, but I feel quite certain that if the Committee thought it desirable to take the advice of the Law Officers they would take it.

Mr. SHORT

Is it the fact that the representatives of the employers are deliberately obstructing a settlement of this question?

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