SPECIAL GRANTS COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 29 April 1926)

§ 1. Mr. WINDSOR
asked the Minister of Pensions what reason, if any, was given for the resignation of the Special Grants Committee, and whether the respective parties in the House will be consulted about the membership of the Special Grants Committee should it be necessary to appoint a new Committee?

§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)
Certain members of the Committee, I regret to say, recently resigned on the ground that they differed from me as to the procedure to be adopted in reviewing, and, so far as necessary, re-organising certain branches of their work, particularly on its educational side, and because they wished to give me a free hand in this re-organisation. I have made the necessary new appointments. The suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question would be 2176 a departure from past practice, and I do not think it would be desirable to introduce political considerations into the formation of a Committee whose functions are of an administrative character.

§ Mr. R. MORRISON
The right hon. and gallant Gentleman states that "certain members" have resigned. Can he say how many?

§ Major TRYON
I believe nine or ten.

§ 7. Mr. BARCLAY-HARVEY
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has recently made any fresh appointments to fill vacancies on the Special Grants Committee; and, if so, whether he will state the membership and the qualifications of members of the committee as at present constituted?

§ Major TRYON
I have had occasion to make several new appointments to the membership of the Special Grants Committee. I am glad to say that I have succeeded in securing the services of several persons of wide experience, both administrative and practical, in regard to education, as well, of course, as persons intimately and actively acquainted with the general work of the Ministry. The Committee, of which my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, has very kindly consented to act for the time being as chairman, consists, as at present constituted, of 12 persons. I am causing the names and qualifications of the members to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any known Socialist on this Special Grants Committee?

§ Major TRYON
I have endeavoured to appoint those who have a knowledge of pensions work, without any regard whatever to political considerations.

§ Mr. MORRISON
Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as considerable alteration has taken place in the Committee, there will be some alteration in the Regulations concerning the education grants?

§ Major TRYON
I have told the hon. Member already that we are going into the whole question of education grants, and I think he has also been told in 2177 the House that he has been under a complete misapprehension in his references to this Committee, who are voluntary workers doing a very difficult work.

§ Mr. MORRISON
On a point of Order. I have never taken part in any Debate in this House upon education grants, and I cannot understand why the right hon. and gallant Gentleman should make such an attack upon me.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
He is going out of his way to be nasty.