Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1939

The Local Supplies Advisory Committee.

16.—(1) The Local Supplies Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the committee) established in pursuance of section 9 of the Act of 1925 for the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under that Act shall, notwithstanding the repeal of the said Act by this Act, be continued and maintained under this Act for the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under this Act.

(2) Every person who was a member of the committee immediately before the passing of this Act shall continue to be such member after such passing and shall, for the purposes of the subsequent provisions of this section, be deemed to have been appointed to be such member under this Act but on the day and for the period on and for which he was actually appointed under section 9 of the Act of 1925.

(3) Subject to the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section, the committee shall consist of six persons to be appointed by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires, of whom—

(a) two persons shall, at the time of their appointment, be elected members of county councils, and

(b) two persons shall, at the time of their appointment, be elected members of councils of county boroughs, boroughs, or urban districts or commissioners of towns, and

(c) one person shall be representative of employers engaged in industry or commerce, and

(d) one person shall be representative of trade unions.

(4) The Minister shall, before appointing a member of the committee, consult with any association for the time being representative of county or county borough councils, urban district councils, town commissioners or of industry or commerce or of trade unions, as the case may require.

(5) The several members of the committee shall, unless they previously die or resign, respectively retain their membership for such period from their appointment as the Minister shall prescribe, but shall, if otherwise qualified, be eligible for reappointment.

(6) Three members of the committee shall be a quorum, and the members of the committee shall at every meeting elect from amongst their number the chairman for that meeting and such chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(7) The committee shall have a secretary who shall be nominated by the Minister.

(8) The committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister.

(9) The committee shall consider and advise the Minister on all matters which shall be referred to it by the Minister, and the committee may also at its discretion consider and if it thinks fit report to the Minister on any other matter relating to or affecting the supply of commodities to local authorities under this Act.

(10) Payments may be made by the Minister to members of the committee, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, in respect of repayment of travelling expenses and payment of subsistence allowance.