HC Deb 04 July 1951 vol 489 cc2293-4
9. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the dates on which oral evidence was heard by his advisory committee on recognition questions from organisations concerned, identifying the organisations in each case; and on what dates arrangements have been made for other organisations to present oral evidence identifying the organisations in each case.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question on 3rd July by my hon. Friend, the Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson).

14. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the absence abroad of one member of his advisory committee on recognition questions will not prevent the formation of a quorum and sittings of that body being continued during the next few weeks.

Mr. Ness Edwards

As I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 3rd July, the committee has received a large volume of oral and written evidence, and I have no doubt that it requires a substantial interval between meetings for studying this material.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether these sittings will or will not be interfered with by the absence for some weeks of some of the members of the committee?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I understand work will proceed. The hon. Member would not like to put himself in the position of harassing a very responsible body of people who are trying to solve a problem which has bedevilled the Department for 25 years.

Mr. R. V. Grimston

Is it not a fact that when the right hon. Gentleman first set up the committee he expected a report very soon? When does he expect to receive it?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I never anticipated that written evidence amounting to 150,000 words would be submitted by the interested parties. A tremendous volume of written evidence has had to be considered, and that is being related to the oral evidence which is being given by the interested unions.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

When did these members of the committee who are abroad inform my right hon. Friend that they were going, and can he assure the House that when they return to this country they will not be sacked?