Advisory Committees in British Administration

A comparatively recent development in British public administration has been the creation of advisory committees or consultative councils in connection with a number of government offices. It is probable that government officials have at times in the past held consultations with small groups of citizens without any formal organization or requirement. Temporary commissions and committees have also been set up from time to time including members of Parliament and private citizens. But the new tendency establishes such committees as a regular part of the machinery of public administration, and in some cases involves the official recognition and coöperation of professional and other voluntary organizations. The Board of Education Act, 1899, authorized a consultative committee to represent universities and other bodies interested in education. This was first established by order in council of August 7, 1900, and somewhat modified in 1907. During the World War sittings of this committee were suspended. But a new committee was appointed by order in council on July 22, 1920, to consist of twenty-one members, the term of seven to expire every two years. Four of the members appointed were women. The Trade Boards Act, 1909, provided for district trade committees, to be organized, at first under regulations issued by the Board of Trade, and later (1916) by the Minister of Labour. The National Insurance Act, 1911, provided for insurance committees in every county and county borough; and the Pilotage Act, 1913, authorized the Board of Trade to appoint an advisory committee of pilots, shipowners, representatives of pilotage and dock and harbor authorities, and others interested or having special knowledge.