HC Deb 02 October 1941 vol 374 cc694-5
16. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will direct that any notes of evidence, findings of fact and recommendations, communicated to a National Service officer by a local appeal board, constituted under the Essential Work (General Provisions) Order, 1941, shall be communicated also to the applicant and to the other party interested?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir. In my view the Orders already provide for doing all that is necessary in the matter of communicating to the parties concerned the decisions arrived at after hearings by local appeal boards.

Sir J. Mellor

As the final decision is a decision of the National Service officer and not of the local appeal board, is it not only fair that the parties to the dispute should be aware of what recommendation has been made?

Mr. Bevin

In many cases the final decision is my own, and we have to remember that the appeal boards make, not decisions, but recommendations, and the evidence in many cases has to be reviewed. Therefore, I do not think that it is wise to circulate anything more than has been circulated at the moment.

Sir J. Mellor

Are they not miscalled "local appeal boards," and should not they be described as advisory committees?

Mr. Bevin

That is a matter of opinion. I think we have got it well understood now that, in industry generally, where the auxiliary procedure exists on a similar basis—and it has been extended to the law—the words "appeal board" generally apply. While it may appear sometimes a little illogical in industrial affairs, the men and employers understand what it means, and that is why it works.

Sir J. Mellor

As they can decide nothing, is not this—

Mr. Speaker rose.