HC Deb 22 January 1942 vol 377 c393
7. Mr. McNeil

asked the Minister of Labour whether, to allay general criticism and to provide for impartial decisions, he will now consider appointing independent chairmen, instead of Ministry of Labour officials, to the district man-power boards, especially in Scotland?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir. I am not aware that there is any general criticism as suggested by my hon. Friend, and I have no reason to suppose that, because they are under the chairmanship of persons who are on the staff of my Department, the decisions of the district man-power boards will be anything but impartial.

Mr. McNeil

Does not the Minister agree that his Ministry and the other Service Departments are already represented on these committees, and that he might usefully employ non-Civil Service people with administrative experience in this capacity?

Mr. Bevin

The other Service Departments are not represented on the Boards. They only come and state their case, as the Production Ministers do. It is the recruitment department of my Ministry that is involved.