HC Deb 03 June 1947 vol 438 cc18-9
38. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of National Insurance when he expects to be able to announce the terms of transfer of staffs of approved societies to his Department.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I have now had an opportunity of considering the recommendations made by the Committee I appointed to advise me on this matter and I have arranged to place copies of the Report in the Library, together with a statement of the action I have decided to take. Printed copies will be issued as soon as possible.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that this answer will be received with appreciation by many thousands of people interested in this matter? Will he see that sufficient copies are available for genera] needs?

Mr. Lipson

Can the right hon. Gentleman promise 100 per cent. of the staff, or, if not, what per cent.?

Mr. Griffiths

The Report is very long and an important one, and the statement will be placed in the Library. We hope to take over practically all the persons concerned.

Mr. Hughes

May I have an answer to my question?

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that these people at present resident in Scotland are not removed to England, as happened in the case of the Insurance Ministry at Newcastle?

Mr. Griffiths

That is one of the matters referred to in the Report. In reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes), I will make as many copies available as possible, and very soon we hope to have further copies available.

Sir W. Darling

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that this concession will be something of a solatium to the approved societies, who are suffering from the broken pledge of the General Election?

Mr. Griffiths

Representatives of the approved societies, both of employers and workers, have sat on the Committee, and I am grateful to them for their co-operation

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