HC Deb 24 November 1925 vol 188 cc1136-7
42. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Committee to inquire into the question of Juvenile Unemployment and its co-relation to education has yet been set up for Scotland: and, if so, will he state the terms of reference and the names of the Committee?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The answer is in the affirmative. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the announcement.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction in Scotland with the composition of this Committee, and will he state the names of the Committee in order that the House may know the bias on which the Committee has been formed?

Mr. WESTWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a public announcement has appeared in the Press, and ought not an answer to be given here without his merely saying that he is going to send me a copy? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave dissatisfaction because of the unrepresentative character of the Committee, and that there is not a representative of the educational administrators nor of those interested in juvenile employment?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am not aware of general dissatisfaction. As both hon. Members have stated, this has been made public in the Press, and there does not appear to be any necessity for announcing it to-day, although I am perfectly willing to do so.

Mr. WESTWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question was put on the Order Paper before any public announcement was made in the Press? Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The names have appeared in the Press. The Chairman of the Committee is the Right Hon. Lord Salvesen, and the Committee consists of Mr. R. S. Allan, LL.D., Professor T. Hudson Beare, Mrs. Charles Douglas, of Auchlochan, Mr. James Elder, of Athelstone Ford, Mains, Mr. William Lorimer, J. P., general secretary of the Society of Associated Blacksmiths and Ironworkers, and Mr. D. J. Macdonald, of Dundee.