HC Deb 09 October 1941 vol 374 cc1092-3
10. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Labour why a Local Appeal Board, to whom a case of alleged absenteeism is referred by a National Service officer, is required to furnish to the parties concerned copies of its recommendation, whereas in other cases recommendations are communicated exclusively to the National Service officer?

Mr. Bevin

The procedure with regard to notifying the recommendations of a local appeal board to the workman and to his employer is prescribed by the Essential Work Order in cases where the board has been dealing with complaints made by the employer with regard to absenteeism or similar matters. No similar procedure is prescribed in cases where an appeal is lodged against a direction given by a National Service officer, and for reasons which I have already given I do not think it would be appropriate in such cases.

Sir J. Mellor

Will the Minister give me the reason why the two cases should be treated differently? Why should not the recommendation be communicated to the parties concerned in all cases?

Mr. Bevin

As I explained recently, in one case the direction is given in regard to absenteeism, and we are dealing directly with the man and the prescribed employer, and in the other case it is a recommendation that may or may not have to be dealt with by the Minister himself. The two things are quite different.