HC Deb 26 May 1938 vol 336 cc1370-1
21. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour the number of advisory committees that are at present operating for juvenile employment in connection with the Employment Exchanges; and at what intervals a report of their work is presented?

Mr. E. Brown

There are at present 197 juvenile advisory committees established by the Ministry in connection with the juvenile work of Employment Exchanges. A general account of their work is given in the annual reports of the Ministry.

Mr. Day

Does the advisory committee still serve a useful purpose?

Mr. Brown

It serves a very splendid purpose.

30. Mr. Roland Robinson

asked the Minister of Labour why his Department refused to circulate to all employment committees the resolution of the Blackpool and Fylde District Employment Committee regarding the abolition of the Anomalies Regulations (Seasonal Workers) Order?

Mr. E. Brown

The resolution in question was in general terms and demanded the reversal of a policy recently approved by Parliament. In these circumstances I felt that no useful purpose would be served by circulating the resolution to other committees.

Mr. Robinson

Is it not to the general benefit that those who administer these regulations should be allowed to exchange views with other committees; and would the right hon. Gentleman say why, when resolutions from other committees are circulated, inevitably the resolution with regard to seasonal workers is refused circulation?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend must not assume that the same view is taken in other unemployment committees as is taken in Blackpool, on this and other questions, or, that other committees are not equally competent with Blackpool to make up their own minds.

Mr. Robinson

Why does the right hon. Gentleman not give Blackpool committee the opportunity of finding out what other people think?

Mr. Brown

They are not seeking to do that at all; they are seeking to tell other people.