"No Objection" to Committees of Controlled Undertakings
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THE M.O.W.T. has indicated that the Minister has no objection to the formation of committees representative of concerns operating as .7.ontrolled undertakings under the Government Haulage Scheme. This hint, was given in reply to a letter in connection with the controversy as to the formation of such a committee, or• panel, of controlled undertakings in the North-eastern Divisioti. It is understood, however, that the reply indicates that the formation of such committees would not be regarded by the Ministry as supplanting any individual controlled undertaking's rights of negotiation and decision as between itself and the Ministry.
The reply answered a communication from 12 representatives who walked out of a Leeds meeting of controlled undertakings because they disagreed with a majority decision to establish a controlled undertakings' committee in the North-eastern Division. Their attitude, of which they afterwards informed the Minister, was that as controlled undertakings are each under individual contracts with the Ministry, they should not delegate responsibility, or authority, to any third party, or body, unless the Minister expressly stated that he desired this.
At a meeting at which they considered the Ministry's answer, these
representatives decided to continue to remain aloof from the committee formed at the Leeds meeting. Another result of the discussions was that certain concerns not already in the Northeastern Group, members of which have taken part in opposition to the• committee movement, decided to join that Group.
We are informed that this Group is prepared further to enlarge its membership, by the acceptance of concerns whether they be controlled undertakings or not. The Group, it is emphasized, is not intended to duplicate the functions of an association.