HC Deb 30 June 1942 vol 381 cc36-7
Sir H. Williams (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Production whether he has yet appointed the new Chairmen of the Regional Boards and whether he has reconsidered the constitution of their Executive Committees?

The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

I am glad to say that all these appointments have now been made. The new organisation in the Regions is being brought into force on 1st July. The names of the Chairmen (who are also my Regional Controllers) are as follow:

  • London and South Eastern—Mr. C. B. Colston, M.C., D.C.M., of Hoover, Ltd.
  • Southern—Mr. John W. Howlett, of Well-worthy Piston Rings Ltd.
  • South Western—Mr. H. I. C. Rogers, of Brecknell Munro & Rogers (1928) Ltd.
  • Wales—Mr. Percy Thomas, O.B.E., LL.D., P.P.R.I.B.A., formerly Welsh Regional Controller, Ministry of Supply.
  • Midlands—Colonel H. B. Sankey, M.C., T.D., J.P., of Joseph Sankey & Sons, Ltd.
  • North Western—Mr. Loris E. Mather, M.I.M.E., of Mather & Platt, Ltd.
  • Scotland—Mr. Lewis J. B. Forbes, B.Sc. (Eng.), A.M.I.C.E., M.I.E.E., of Triplex (Northern) Ltd.
  • Northern—Viscount Ridley, C.B.E., of Consett Iron Works & L.N.E.R.
  • East and West Riding—Mr. Charles H. Crab-tree, of R. W. Crabtree & Sons, Ltd.
  • North Midland—Mr. Harold H. Berresford, J.P., of Staveley Coal & Iron Co.
  • Eastern—Mr. H. Weston Howard, of Hey ward Tyler & Co., Ltd.
As regards the second part of the Question, I received deputations representing the Federation of British Industries, the British Employers' Confederation, and the Trades Union Congress, who expressed the unanimous opinion that the Vice-Chairmen of the Boards should be members of the Executive Committee. I have considered these representations and, with the full agreement of my colleagues, I have decided to appoint the Vice-Chairmen as members of the Executive Committees forthwith.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that he has not left out any capitalist interests?

Mr. McKinlay

Will the right hon. Gentleman repeat, for the benefit of Scottish Members, who is the Scottish representative, and what interest and what firm he represents? Has he any experience of the staple industries of Scotland, namely, heavy engineering and shipbuilding?

Mr. Lyttelton

Great trouble was taken over the selection of these Regional Controllers, and I am satisfied that the appointment of Mr. Forbes is an excellent one.

Mr. McKinlay

What is he connected with in Scotland? Does he know anything about the staple industries?

Mr. Gallacher

When selections of this kind are being made, are the millions of practical workers with great experience never considered? It is always just the same limited small gang of profit-mongers. It is a shameful thing, and that is how all the trouble has taken place.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that although some members of the trade unions or from the industrial side may be appointed in a subordinate capacity, none of those persons is regarded as capable of undertaking the task of Controller, and that the only persons to be appointed as Controllers are those from big business? It that the policy of the Government?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have already said that these names have been selected very carefully as being most suitable for the business.