HC Deb 05 May 1932 vol 265 cc1274-8
41. Mr. LIDDALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the names and the cost to date of the committees and commissions appointed since 1929 and still at work?

Major ELLIOT

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars in the usual form of the committees still at work which were appointed since 1929 and prior to 10th November, 1931. Particulars of later appointments will be found in the table circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT on the 26th April (columns 209 and 210). The expenses of committees are, in general, borne on Departmental Votes and I am unable to include information under this head. If my hon. Friend has a particular committee in mind he will no doubt address an inquiry to the Minister concerned.

Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSON

Can the Financial Secretary say how many women there are on these committees?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Does the table include the latest committees appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture?

Major ELLIOT

It includes them all up to a recent date, but I am afraid that I could not say exactly to what date the return is complete.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this is a daily occurrence, will the Financial Secretary consider the advisability of issuing a weekly table or bulletin showing how many committees have been appointed?

Following are the particulars:

LIST OF ROYAL COMMISSIONS, OTHER COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES OF INQUIRY APPOINTED SINCE 1929 AND PRIOR TO 10TH NOVEMBER, 1931, AND STILL IN BEING ON 4TH MAY, 1932.
This List does not include Statutory or Standing Bodies, Sub-Committees, nor Departmental Committees composed exclusively of Officials.
Name of Commission or Committee. Abridged terms of Reference. Date of Appointment. Department primarily concerned. Probable date of Report.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
I. Royal Commissions.
Unemployment Insurance. To inquire into the provisions and working of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme. 9th December, 1930. Ministry of Labour. Interim Report dated 1.6.31.
II. Other Commissions and Committees.
Deep Diving Equipment. (1) To recommend (in detail) what equipment is necessary to enable useful work to be carried out by divers at depths of at least 50 fathoms. 17th January,1930. Admiralty Sometime in the Autumn of 1932.
(2) To recommend improvements in the organisation of the Diving Service in the Navy, etc.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by sea. To consider the existing Board of Trade Memorandum on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Sea, and to advise the Board of Trade what alterations, if any, are desirable. 14th February, 1930. Board of Trade. During 1932.
Local Government Officers. To inquire into and make recommendations on the qualifications, recruitment, training and promotion of Local Government Officers. 15th September, 1930. Ministry of Health. —
Agricultural Tied Cottages. To inquire into the conditions of occupation of agricultural cottages in England and Wales which are either let to or provided for Agricultural workers in consequence of their employment. 25th October, 1930. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Health. Report under consideration.
Workmen's Compensation (Industrial Diseases). To inquire whether (1) poisoning by turpentine; and (2) papilloma occurring in workers liable to mule spinner's cancer, etc., should be included in the schedule of Industrial Diseases to which Section 43 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, applies. 13th November, 1930. Home Office Interim Report issued 16.11.31. Further Interim Report not unlikely in view of further inquiries being made. No date can be given for final report.
Local Government and Public Health Law Consolidation. To consider under what heads the enactments applying to England and Wales (ex-clusive of London) and dealing with (a) Local Authorities and Local Government, and (b) matters relating to public health, should be grouped in consolidating legislation, etc. 8th December, 1930. Ministry of Health. —
Name of Commission or Committee. Abridged terms of Reference. Date of Appointment. Department primarily concerned. Probable date of Report.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gas Legislation 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. 18th February,1931. Board of Trade. Interim Report dated 22.3.32.
Industrial Assurance To examine and report on the law and practice relating to Industrial Assurance and to Assurance on the lives of children under ten years of age. 13th'April,1931. Treasury Within six months.
Prevention of Damage by Thames Floods. To consider the present organisation for the prevention of damage by floods in the tidal portion of the Thames. 17th April, 1931. Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Fisheries. —
Habitual Offenders To inquire into the existing methods of dealing with persistent offenders. 23rd April, 1931. Home Office Report under consideration.
British Industries Fair Site and Buildings. To consider and report how permanent accommodation for the London Section of the British Industries Fair could be provided and financed on a self-supporting basis, etc. 6th May, 1931. Department of Overseas Trade. In about four months.
Food Committee To inquire into the working of the law as to composition and description of articles of food other than milk. 14th May,1931. Ministry of Health. —
Miners' Welfare Fund To inquire into the operation and future scope of the fund and to report with particular reference to the question of the amount and duration of the levy in the future. 8th July, 1931. Mines Department. Possibly the end of 1932.
Art and Industry To investigate and advise upon the desirability of forming in London a standing exhibition of articles of everyday use, etc. 13th July, 1931. Department of Overseas Trade. In May, 1932.
Garden Cities To examine the experience already gained in regard to establishment of garden cities and to make recommendations as to future developments. 29th July, 1931. Ministry of Health. —
Enforcement of Judgments. To consider (1) what provisions should be included in conventions made with foreign countries for the mutual enforcement of judgments on a basis of reciprocity and (2) what legislation is necessary or desirable to enable such conventions to be made effective. October, 1931. Lord Chancellor's Department. Within next two months.
Medical and Dental branches of the Defence Services. To investigate the causes of the shortage of officers and nurses in the Medical and Dental branches of the three Defence Services and to make recommendations for remedying it. 19th May, 1931. Treasury and Service Departments. —