Mr. ERSKINEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the urgent need for economy, he is prepared to abolish the post of Chief Labour Adviser, which carries a salary of £3,000 per annum?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe post of Chief Labour Adviser was created as a result of the experience of successive Ministers of Labour, and, in my opinion, it would be detrimental to the public interest to abolish the post. The pressure of work at the Ministry of Labour is such (and is likely to continue to be such) as to make a post of the kind essential. Apart from advising the Minister on matters of general Labour policy, including particularly questions concerning the relations between employers and employed, the Chief Labour Adviser is consulted by all Departments of the Ministry on matters involving negotiations, as well as on questions of policy affecting employment and Unemployment Insurance, wages and hours, disputes, Trade Boards, Joint Industrial Councils, and industrial organisation generally. In addition, he undertakes very onerous responsibilities in connection with the protracted negotiations that are necessary from time to time with a, view to the avoidance of industrial disputes. I may add that an undertaking has already been given that the post will be reconsidered on the occurrence of a vacancy.