§ 36. Mr. Maxtonasked the Home Secretary whether, as the positions of Regional 853 Commissioners and their Deputies have now become unnecessary, their functions being now adequately performed by other branches of local and national organisations, he will consider abolishing these positions?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that Regional Commissioners and their Deputies have become unnecessary or that their functions are being adequately performed by other branches of local and national organisations.
§ Mr. MaxtonThe right hon. Gentleman knows better than I do, but can he tell me any functions performed by these men other than decorative?
§ Mr. MorrisonI recently made a comprehensive speech about their functions, of which I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a copy, and, when he has read it, I think he will be quite convinced that I am right.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the West of Scotland the Deputy Commissioner has not given up any of his activities or the position that he occupied before becoming Deputy Commissioner, and that he has since that accepted a post in Glasgow and is continuing his own private business?
§ Mr. MorrisonScotland, as my hon. Friend knows, always involves exceptional considerations, and the organisation is somewhat different there, but I should not think in the case of a Deputy District Commissioner he would undertake duties inconsistent with the responsibilities that he owes to the Regional organisation.
§ Mr. KirkwoodThey stopped travel vouchers for the workers as the result of the blitz, and we have had nothing but discontent on the Clyde as a result.