HC Deb 20 November 1947 vol 444 cc1334-5
53. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he has made for the consideration of appeals by persons refused permission by his officers, under S.R. & O. 1947, No. 2021, to take up employment desired by them.

Mr. Isaacs

Full consideration is given to the desire of an applicant to take up any particular job which is in fact available for him, if it is in essential work. Further, every applicant is afforded a considerable range of choice of jobs, and has a right of appeal against direction to any particular job. In my view this affords adequate protection to the worker.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that in a case where his officer refuses a man permission to take up a job the man wants to take up, there is no appeal whatever from the officer's decision?

Mr. Isaacs

I have pointed out that there is a right of appeal against direction to any particular job. That right of appeal is not a statutory right, but an administrative right which we extend without question to everybody wishing to make use of it.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the refusal of permission to do work which a man wants to do is a matter of great importance to that man? Surely, it is quite wrong that that permission should be refused without any possibility of an appeal?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman deliberately misunderstands the answers I am giving. If that man refuses to take a job, he is directed. After being directed, he gets the right of appeal.

Mr. Maclay

To whom has the appeal to be made?

Mr. Isaacs

To the local appeal board which is composed of representatives of employers and workers, with an independent chairman.