HC Deb 11 December 1947 vol 445 cc1187-8
46. Mr. Sidney Shephard

asked the Minister of Labour to state the qualifications and the manner in which appointments will be made, of the three women who will act as a panel to hear women who will be affected by the Registration for Employment Order.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)

Women's panels will be informal in character. The main qualifications looked for are common sense, independence of judgment, an up-to-date prac- tical knowledge of local conditions and experience of dealing with day-to-day problems of women and their homes. I am asking local employment committees to suggest the names of suitable individuals or of organisations which might be asked for nominations.

Mr. Shephard

In order to avoid any suggestion of victimisation, will the Minister see that these tribunals are broad-based, and will he follow the example of the working parties and have a business woman on each of these panels to ensure their independence?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The hon. Member need not worry about the constitution of these panels, as many of them were appointed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epsom (Mr. McCorquodale).

Mr. Orr-Ewing

In view of the first part of the supplementary question, is it not very important that the Minister should see that these ladies are broadminded?