§ 40. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction is expressed by the employer members of trade boards through the action of the Government in only allowing third-class fares to such members travelling to and from the place where the board meetings are held; and, in view of the fact that officials from the Ministry are allowed first-class fares when travelling in connection with the work of trade boards, will he be prepared to allow equal facilities to the employer members who voluntarily serve on these boards?
§ Mr. SHAWI have received representations from certain trade boards in the sense indicated in the question. The class of travelling approved in the cases of employers and workers' representatives on trade boards is that applicable to similar bodies and committees working in conjunction with the Ministry and other Government Departments, and, in the circumstances, it is not proposed to make any change in the present scale.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these gentlemen, or some at least, travel on their own business first-class? Why should they not be allowed first-class when travelling as members of these boards?
§ Colonel ASHLEYBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I say that surely all members of the boards ought to be treated on the same footing? Why discriminate between one member and another? They do the same work, and should receive the same consideration.
§ Mr. SHAWI have not discriminated. The question discriminates between em- 1238 ployers and employed, apparently. I can only repeat that this is the general rule throughout the Service, and if representations are made by people who believe that the treatment is wrong, I will go into the matter with the Treasury, and see what the general feeling is.