90. Mr. LAWasked the Minister of Labour, at whose invitation Parliamentary representatives of fishing constituencies attended a meeting at the Ministry on 27th February, to discuss the question of unemployment insurance for share-fishermen; what constituencies were represented; and on what principle they were selected?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)I presume the reference is to the meeting of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee on 1378 27th February, at which several Members of this House were present at the invitation of the Committee for the purpose of discussing with the Committee the question of insuring share-fishermen against unemployment, a subject on which the Committee has been asked by my right hon. Friend to make a report. I will send my hon. Friend a list of these Members, and I should like to add that the Committee will be glad to hear from any other Member who desires to place his views on the subject before them.
§ Mr. MUFFCan the Minister say whether any hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull was invited to the meeting?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe Committee have issued a general invitation to any person who was interested to place his views before them?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the Minister aware that on this occasion more than that was done, and that an invitation was sent to certain specified Members to attend? Will he take steps in the future to see that if Members of Parliament are to be invited it will be a general invitation extended to all Members irrespective of party?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe Committee have a perfect right to ask any person or any body whom they wish to tender evidence to them. We are not responsible for the particular invitations issued by the Committee in the discharge of their duty. There was, however, a general invitation to any persons interested to attend.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the Minister aware that the matter went much further, that the Committee invited certain Members of Parliament and that only selected people were asked? Will he take steps to see that if Members of Parliament are to be asked in future that the invitation is general in character to all Members of Parliament?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADWe can make an unofficial representation to the Committee on the subject, but I do not think that my right hon. Friend would be entitled unnecessarily to interfere with the freedom of a statutory committee.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the Minister aware that the Committee have interfered with the rights of Members of the 1379 House of Commons? Is he further aware that this date was specially selected by the Committee in order that certain people should not attend?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am not aware of that, nor am I aware that the Committee have interfered with the rights of Members.