Oral Answers to Questions — Ireland. – in the House of Commons am ar 13 Gorffennaf 1922.
Mr Frederick Banbury
, City of London
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an agreement was entered into between the London employers and the joint Standing Committee representing the workmen of the Port of London on the 5th of last May which settled the rate of wages to be paid, and that the men, or some of them, threw over their representatives and preferred to receive out door relief; and whether he will refuse to render any assistance to the guardians to enable them to provide relief to men who can obtain work if they choose?
Sir Alfred Mond
, Gorllewin Abertawe
According to my information no agreement was arrived at on the 5th of May between the Joint Standing Committee and the London Ship-repairing Employers' Federation settling the rate of wages to be paid. I understand that discussions have proceeded for a considerable time between the parties, but that up to the present no agreement has been arrived at. It is quite clear that it is unlawful to give relief to men for whom employment is available, and I shall certainly take such steps as are within my power to prevent any board of guardians from giving such unlawful relief.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 99 per cent. of the men responsible for this stoppage are not receiving Poor Law relief at all, and the men seeking relief are the labourers thrown out of work in consequence of the action of other men?
Sir Alfred Mond
, Gorllewin Abertawe
I am not aware of it.
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
