HC Deb 07 July 1938 vol 338 cc564-5
18. Mr. Anderson

asked the Minister of Labour whether the West Cumberland Industrial Development Company were consulted about the recent appointment to the post of district commissioner for that area?

Mr. E. Brown

I am glad to take this opportunity of correcting a misunderstanding which has arisen regarding the answer I gave to the hon. Member's Supplementary Question on Thursday last. My reference to the board of West Cumberland Development Company was intended merely to emphasise that commercial experience on the part of the district commissioner was not an essential qualification, because of the industrial knowledge and experience which are possessed by members of the board and which are always freely at the disposal of the district commissioner.

Mr. Anderson

Would not consultations with the people on the spot have been advisable?

Mr. Brown

It would never have occurred to me that it would, because it was the commissioner's legal duty to make the appointment in consultation with the Ministry and the Treasury.

Mr. Anderson

Is it not a fact that the man who was appointed has no experience of industrial questions, and if a man has not that business experience how can you expect the people in the area to have the confidence in him that they ought to have?

Mr. Brown

I have already pointed out that general experience of an administrative kind is the essential qualification. I did that last week.