HC Deb 02 April 1946 vol 421 cc1107-8
58. Winģ-Commander Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of the present members of the Commission on equal pay; and when is its report expected.

Mr. H. Morrison

There has been no change in the membership announced on 12th October, 1944; as regards the date of the Report, I cannot at present add to the Reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, on 29th January.

Winģ-Commander Cooper

Is the Minister satisfied with the progress being made by this Commission, and are any changes contemplated in the membership of the Commission in view of the very much altered circumstances which apply now compared with when the Commission was first set up?

Mr. Morrison

I should have thought it inconvenient to change the composition of the Commission at this stage. So far as I know, no undue delay should take place

Mrs. Manninģ

In view of the fact that the references to this Commission include the social and economic consequences of making equal pay available for both men and women, will the Minister say whether we are to expect, after the Commission has reported, another long interval of time during which the Government will make up their mind what is to be the outcome?

Mr. Morrison

I have not the least idea.

Mrs. Castle

Is it not a fact that this Commission was originally set up by the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) largely to gain time when the demand for equal pay had become irresistible?

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is there any reason whatever to suppose that this Commission will ever report?