HC Deb 03 March 1931 vol 249 cc204-6
5. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the names of the members of the committee which he has appointed to consider the report of the National Fuel and Power Committee?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

With the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, I propose to circulate the desired information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Is it correct that there are three Members of this House on the committee, and that they are all members of the Labour party; and, if so, what is the reason for that departure from precedent?

Mr. GRAHAM

I think that is correct, but they represent one side of the gas industries, and that accounts for the way in which this committee has been made up.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Is it not customary that when Members of the House are put on a committee they should be taken from all parties and not only from one party?

Mr. GRAHAM

I do not think they were chosen as Members of the House at all, but to ensure representation of both sides of the industry.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask if there are any representatives of the Gas Workers' Union who belong to the Conservative or the Liberal party?

Following is the information:

The following are the members of the committee which the Board of Trade have appointed to consider the recommendations contained in the Second Report of the National Fuel and Power Committee, and to report what amendments to existing gas legislation are desirable and necessary to give effect to those recommendations by general legislation or by special order, namely:

  • Mr. Frederic John Wrottesley, K.C. (Chairman).
  • Mr. Jacques Abady.
  • Mr. John Baker, M.P.
  • Mr. Reginald William Edwards.
  • Sir William Hart, O.B.E.
  • Mr. Arthur Hayday, J.P., M.P.
  • 206
  • Mr. Thomas Percy Ridley, F.C.I.S.
  • Mr. James Francis Ronca, O.B.E.
  • Mr. Adrian Noel Christian Shelley.
  • Mr. Arthur William Smith, F.C.I.S.
  • Mr. Will Thorne, C.B.E., M.P.
  • Sir David Milne-Watson, M.A., LL.D., D.L.