§ 6. Mr. Thomas Fraserasked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to ensure automatic reinstatement in the case of a worker who obtains a unanimous decision from a local appeal board against granting the employer permission to discharge when the discharge has already taken place with the permission of the National Service officer.
§ Mr. BevinLocal appeal boards make recommendations to the National Service officer; they do not give decisions. I propose to continue my present practice of accepting the boards' recommendations, in all save the most exceptional cases, including recommendations the acceptance of which involves a worker being reinstated.
§ Mr. FraserShould we not get to know whether these boards have statutory authority? Is it not true that, in nearly all cases—as in all the cases that have come to my knowledge—where a man gets an unfavourable decision, he has no right of appeal, but, when he gets a favourable decision, it sometimes happens that the Minister refuses to accept that decision?
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. I announced to the House when these boards were set up that they were advisory to me, and that 700 I have the final responsibility to this House in these matters. I can assure my hon. Friend that, if that was given up, many of these cases would reach a dead-lock. There have been many cases with which I have been able to deal effectively in the manner I have shown.
§ Mr. FraserSome time ago, when I asked a Question about these boards, did not the right hon. Gentleman tell me that I must accept the boards' decision when it is unfavourable?
§ Mr. BevinNo. I have always made it clear that they make recommendations to me and that unless there are exceptional circumstances, I accept them.
§ Mr. FraserOn a point of Order. So that there may be some elucidation of the functions of these boards, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.