§ Mr. BRIANTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a complaint made to the committee at the hearing of an application made under the Safeguarding of Industries Act on the 6th February, presided over by Sir William Ackworth, with regard to aluminium hollow-ware; whether complaint was directed at the unsatisfactory procedure prescribed by the Board of Trade for receiving evidence at such inquiries; is he aware that such procedure prohibits counsel who represents the applicants and their opponents from examining and cross-examining such witnesses; that the chairman stated publicly that such prohibition placed the committee at a great disadvantage in ascertaining the true facts in regard to aluminium hollow-ware, and that the other members of the committee associated themselves with the chairman's view; will he state whether any further representation on the subject has been received from other committees; and whether it is proposed to act upon such representations, and amend the rule of procedure accordingly?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first four parts of the question is in the affirmative. No representation on the subject has been received from any other committee. I am not satisfied that the balance of advantage would necessarily lie in an amendment of the rules, but I am considering the matter.