HC Deb 19 November 1942 vol 385 cc475-6
6. Mr. W. Brown

asked the Minister of Labour in what circumstances he informed the Civil Service Clerical Association, in connection with the dismissal of a temporary clerk from a War Office establishment, that he could not require the War Office to reinstate that employee although the Appeal Board had recommended it; and whether, before he approves the scheduling under the Essential Work Order of any Government establishment, he satisfies himself that the Department is prepared to accept all the obligations which rest upon private employers whose establishments are scheduled and, in particular, the obligation of reinstating any dismissed employee who successfully appeals?

Mr. Bevin

My Department did not ask the War Office to reinstate the worker referred to as it was satisfied that it would not be in the national interest to do so. The answer to the latter part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative, and in this particular case the action taken was exactly the same as it would have been if the employer had been a private undertaking.

Mr. Brown

Is it not the case that the appeal machinery which operates under my right hon. Friend's Department had decided that this officer should be reinstated, and is not that decision binding on a Department?

Mr. Bevin

No. The appeal machinery is advisory to me, and I have to take the final decision.

Mr. Brown

Are we to understand that the Minister overrode the decision of his own tribunal in this case?

Mr. Bevin

In this case, yes.