asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the difficulty that members of friendly societies and trade unions experience by attending meetings of the local health committees owing to no remuneration being allowed for loss of time; and, having regard to the importance of these working men representatives and their inability to bear the loss of wages consequent upon the meetings being held in the afternoons, he will take steps to reimburse them from the Treasury, with a view of enabling them to continue their services both for the benefit of the State and the organisations which they represent?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the previous answers which I have given to this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of public men are resigning from these committees in consequence of their inability to stand the loss of time?

No, I am not aware of that; but I am sure the subject is more proper for debate than for question and answer.