HC Deb 28 February 1921 vol 138 cc1457-8W
Sir H. CRAIK

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Whitley Councils in the Civil Service Departments were composed; whether anyone sat on these Councils to represent the tax-paying public; and whether the Councils consisted only of those who were themselves in receipt of salaries from public funds?

Mr. BALDWIN

As my right hon. Friend is no doubt aware, Whitley Councils are composed of two sides, the one representing the employers and the other the employés. On the Councils established in the Civil Service Departments the official or employers' sides are composed of permanent heads of Departments and other Civil servants of high standing who are responsible to Ministers. Acting under the authority of Ministers, they represent the interests of the tax-paying public. The staff or employés' side is composed of representatives elected by the staff associations. Occasionally these representatives are full-time officials of an association, but, with this exception, the members of the Councils are all in receipt of salaries from public funds.