§ 13. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a chairman of an appeals tribunal influenced the assessors to alter their decision after coming to an agreement; and whether he is prepared to give instructions against such interference with decisions?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the case to which I presume the hon. Member refers, it was alleged that one of the members of a tribunal changed his mind when the decision was given. This is a liberty which cannot, I think, be restricted by instructions. I would add that the chairman has no power to over-ride the other two members of a tribunal, who have each an equal voice with him in the decision.
§ Mr. WhiteleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case agreement was reached and then the chairman intervened with a view to having the decision altered, and succeeded?
§ Mr. BrownI should not care to accept that statement. As I understand it, a debate took place and one member of the committee changed his mind. Surely that is not an unusual occurrence.
§ Mr. WhiteleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the man changed his mind after the chairman had intervened and the decision had been come to?
§ Mr. BrownI am aware that there was a discussion in the normal way, and that the chairman put a point of view, and another member put a point of view, and that the other member changed his mind. It might happen the other way the next time.
§ Mr. George GriffithsDid not these two men give their decision, and then the chairman brought pressure to bear on that decision? Is that so?