§ 5. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of appointing independent persons to act as clerks to the Unemployment Assistance Board appeal tribunals and Assistance Board tribunals?
§ Mr. AsshetonThese appointments are made by the Assistance Board. I am informed that the Board fully appreciate the necessity of safeguarding the independence of appeal tribunals appointed under the Unemployment Assistance Act, and have carefully considered the question of the clerks' status from this point of view. As, however, a clerk must, if he is to carry out his duties efficiently, be familiar with the general practice and procedure of unemployment assistance, they do not feel that any advantage would be secured by an alteration in the existing practice.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the clerk to the Unemployment Assistance Board tribunal being specially favourable to the Unemployment Assistance Board, his influence is always exercised to the disadvantage of the applicant; and does the hon. Gentleman not think that, as the Unemploy- 872 ment Assistance Board is frequently involved in these cases the clerk to the appeal tribunal should be appointed independently, so that it would be a strictly impartial body for dealing with appeals?
§ Mr. AsshetonI cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's premise. I think I have made it clear that this is a matter for the Board and not one in which the Minister has any power, but, as I have said, I will convey the hon. Gentleman's remarks to the Board.