§ 5. Mr. STUARTasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that no meeting of the Central Advisory Committee has been held since July, 1926, and that it was originally intended that meetings should be held every quarter, he will say when it is intended to hold another meeting of the committee?
§ Major TRYONMeetings of the committee are held at suitable intervals when matters appropriate for reference to the committee arise. It is my intention to hold a meeting of the committee before the close of the present year.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the fact that no meeting has been held since July, 1926, as stated in the question?
§ Major TRYONYes.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it also the fact that, at one of the last meetings held, the committee expressed their dissatisfaction at the fact that the Minister never took any notice of their recommendations?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir. The answer I have given shows that there has not been a meeting for some time, but I would remind the hon. Member that during the whole period of office of the Labour Government the committee never met at all.
§ Mr. STUARTIs it not laid down in the War Pensions Regulations that there should be quarterly meetings of the committee?
§ Major TRYONNo, that is not a definite rule.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Committee in 1924 expressed any dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Minister at that time?
§ Major TRYONNo, because the Minister never called them together.