HC Deb 31 January 1929 vol 224 cc1112-4
11. Mr. ERNEST BROWN

asked the President of the Board of Education if there are any women members on the executive committee of the Lord Mayor's distress fund; and, if so, how many?

Lord E. PERCY

There are no women serving on the joint executive committee of the Lord Mayor's Fund.

Mr. BROWN

Will the Noble Lord consider the advisability of adding some women to the Committee?

Lord E. PERCY

It is entirely a matter for those who appoint the members of the Committee. The voluntary organisation who appoint half the members originally had two women members. They have now changed their representation. I really cannot interfere with their discretion.

Mr. SIDNEY WEBB

Who appoints the other half?

Lord E. PERCY

The Lord Mayor.

Mr. MARDY JONES

Is the Noble Lord aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction among the miners themselves and their families with regard to the distribution of relief and the absence of representation of miners themselves?

Lord E. PERCY

No, I am not.

14. Mr. C. EDWARDS

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Abercarn Colliery, Mon-mouthshire, when re-starting after 18 months' stoppage, provided the men with food before going down the colliery owing to their impoverished condition, and intimated that this would be continued until they received their first pay; and whether, seeing that this is typical of the condition of many thousands of persons in the South Wales and other mining areas, he will order the proposed grant from Exchequer funds to the Lord Mayor's Fund to be handed over forthwith, with the request that the fund should be distributed immediately?

Lord E. PERCY

As I have already stated, the Government grant is at the Lord Mayor's disposal. The local committees in South Wales have ample funds at their command to finance any relief measures which they consider desirable.

15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he is taking to increase the efficiency of the organisation under Mr. Curtis-Bennett for the distribution and co-ordination of relief to the distressed mining areas and the more expeditious relief of suffering and distress in those areas?

Lord E. PERCY

I hope the hon. and gallant Member will not think me meticulous if I remind him that Mr. Curtis-Bennett and his staff do not control the organisation of the Lord Mayor's Fund, but occupy, in relation to the Lord Mayor and his executive committee, the same sort of position as civil servants in relation to Government Departments. I see no reason to question the efficiency of the organisation of the Lord Mayor's Fund, and I think great credit is due to all concerned for the progress made in the last few weeks in the difficult task of building up a complete and properly constituted local organisation to ensure that the fund is administered to the best advantage. As this task is completed, responsibility for distribution falls upon the local committees, who, I think, deserve and should receive the confidence of the public.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

The Noble Lord will be aware that I was, of course, not in any way criticising Mr. Curtis-Bennett. I speak of the organisation under him. Is the Noble Lord satisfied with the machinery for distribution—not collection—and is he satisfied that the relief is being given quickly enough?

Viscountess ASTOR

Does the Noble Lord really think there can be complete administration as long as there is no woman on the Committee?

Lord E. PERCY

The Noble Lady quite misunderstands the position. It is the local committees that have to do the distribution and have to be in touch with the distress, and there are women on those committees. With regard to the first question, I am satisfied as to the character of the machinery. I think it is efficient, and it has been set up on the best possible lines. As for speed of distribution, I must not express an opinion until the local committees, many of which have only just been set up, have had time to get to work.

Viscountess ASTOR

Does the Noble Lord really think the Central Committee which, after all, gives a lead in a way to the local committees, can be complete unless there is a woman on it?

Mr. SPEAKER

This question arose before the Noble Lady arrived in the House.

Mr. LUNN

Has Mr. Curtis-Bennett ever had an experience of this kind before, and is it not necessary that there should be some people on these Committees who know the sufferings of the people and will be a driving power behind such men who have not had experience?

Lord E. PERCY

From the hon. Member's question, I should imagine that he does not understand the organisation of the Fund at all. Mr. Curtis-Bennett has no personal responsibility and no personal connection with the work of the local committees. The local committees consist of people who are in close personal touch with the distress. They have ample funds at their command. They are not hampered for lack of funds, and, I believe, they deserve the confidence of the public. I am very sorry that the hon. Member should spend his time in trying to destroy public confidence and make vague accusations against Mr. Curtis-Bennett.

Mr. LUNN

I think what I said is perfectly true.

Mr. SPEAKER rose

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I want to know whether the Minister is satisfied that the Government—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has been long enough in the House to know that he cannot remain standing when I am on my feet. We have already dealt with this question. We have had many supplementary questions.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I have not put a question.

Mr. SPEAKER

Questions have been put by many hon. Members.