§ 23. The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. THORNE:
1526§ To ask the Minister of Labour why the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) was officially invited to become a member of the Statutory Committee under the new Unemployment Bill, seeing that the organised workers' representatives must be nominated by the members of the Trades UnionCongress General Council; that the employers' representatives must be nominated by the Federation of British Industries; and that such an official invitation to the hon. Member for Gorbals is a breach of the regulations under the Unemployment Bill?
§ Mr. THORNEBefore the hon. Gentleman replies to my question, may I ask if he is aware that I wrote to the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) telling him that the question was being asked to-day?
Mr. HUDSONNo steps have yet been taken to select any of the members of the Statutory Committee, and there is consequently no foundation for the rumour to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. MAXTONI would like to ask the hon. Gentleman, as representing the Ministry of Labour, if anyone has suggested that the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) has been officially invited to take part in this Statutory Committee?
§ Mr. THORNEIs the Minister aware that, according to the "New Leader" last week, the hon. Member for Gorbals definitely stated at the Merthyr by-election that he had been invited by a representative of the Government to take up this position?
§ Mr. MAXTONIs not the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) completely misinformed?
Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANDoes the Minister not think that the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) would make a very good Member?
Mr. HUDSONI repeat that no steps have been taken to select any members for this Statutory Committee?
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I ask if the statement made in the question is correct, that appointments are to be made by the Trades Union Congress General Council?