§ 29. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Transport if he will ensure that persons 1686 experienced in the organisation of workers employed in the railway transport industry will be included in the personnel of any regional boards or committees set up in place of the Railway Executive.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydUntil I have received and considered the scheme to be submitted to me by the British Transport Commission I cannot make any statement as to the form it may take, but I can assure the hon. Member that this consideration will be very much in my mind.
§ Mr. SparksCan the Minister give an assurance that this matter is left to the discretion of the Transport Commission itself, and that he will not give it any direction that it must not include the type of person mentioned in my Question?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI would never give any such direction.
§ Mr. SparksIf that is so, then the matter is entirely at the discretion of the Transport Commission?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Act of Parliament provides the powers under which the Commission can set up or not set up various boards or committees, and I do not think that I can add to that, except to say that I would most certainly not tell it that it should not include trade unionists on any committees it sets up.
§ Mr. ChampionIs this one of the questions which we shall be discussing when the Minister presents the White Paper to the House, when, perhaps, hon. Members may have to make some suitable amendments?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes, Sir.