HC Deb 24 June 1943 vol 390 cc1287-8
6. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the names of the committee appointed to serve under Lord Hankey to administer the grants for the further education and training of men and women demobilised from the Services and other branches of the war organisations?

Mr. Bevin

The Committee consists of representatives of the following Government Departments:—

  • Board of Education,
  • Scottish Office,
  • Ministry of Labour and National Service,
  • Admiralty,
  • War Office,
  • Air Ministry,
  • Board of Trade,
  • Ministry of Supply,
  • Ministry of Aircraft Production,
together with Sir Walter Moberly, the Chairman of the University Grants Committee, and Mr. Clement Jones, Lord Hankey's personal assistant. The Committee is not an administrative body; its functions are described in the statement I made in my reply on 25th March to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson).

Miss Ward

We must be at variance about the Committee. Is not the Minister appointing a Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Hankey which is going to consist of outside people, and not a Departmental Committee? I certainly understood so.

Mr. Bevin

The Question which the hon. Lady has asked deals with the Interdepartmental Committee.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is not Mr. Clement Jones a very competent official?

Mr. George Griffiths

Oh yes, he is.

Miss Ward

I never said a word about inter-departmental.