1.
2.
3.
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Long distance travel, by passenger train,
giving a through non-stop service, thereby earning the appreciation of the travelling public, and creating prestige for the industry.
Long distance movement of important freight traffic, conveyed by fitted or partially fitted freight trains, ensuring a fast over-night service, with a one day delivery.
To cover special workings, such as excursions,
where owing to the short lay-over time, particularly on Sundays, it is not possible to provide adequate relief".
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N.U.R. WAGES CLAIM DEVELOPMENTS
As regards the N. U. R. claim for 10s. a week increase in wages and salaries, the Railway Executive yesterday (Monday) offered to resume negotiations with the N.U. R. and the other railway trade unions who are signatories to the various agreements affecting rates of pay and conditione of service. The Executive gave to the Unions a broad indication of the extent to which they are prepared to discusO both minimum rates and other outstanding matters. This offer of a meeting has now been accepted by the N.U.R. and it is hoped to arrange it this week.
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agreement which has been reached on the health control of sea and air transport. Under the agreement maritime health declarations are not to be requested from ships sailing between the ports of the Brussels Treaty Powers. Similarly, while the efficiehage24efront air transport control mPages4as beenбmaintained, the formalities regarding air health declarations are to be simplified and the result of this action is that the five countries may be considered as one single territory for this purpose also. In addition, a system of direct contact between the public health administrations of the Five Powers has been established with the object of securing the mutual and rapid exchange of information, particularly as regards protection against epidemics; a programme for the exchange of medical and para-medical personnel has been drawn up for 1949; plans have been dis- cussed for the pooling of certain therapeutical resources in order that patients belonging to any one of the five countries should be able to benefit from methods of treatment available in any of the other countries; and a number of other ques- tions, including the health control of food-stuffs and drinking water, are now to be examined.
Committee on War Pensions
12. War pensions differ in a number of respects from other social services. In particular there are no International Conventions on the subject and since the great majority of war pensions are in respect of disablement sustained during service with the Armed Forces, the State concerned will normally accept pension liability wherever the person concerned (or dependant) lives. It follows that there is only a limited scope for reciprocity agreements. Nevertheless, there is room for closer co-operation in this field by the exchange of information and by the explora- tion of possible methods of increasing reciprocity in the treatment of the severely war disabled. These questions are being pursued. Mention has already been made in paragraph 4 of the special Committee which is to consider the related subject of the rehabilitation and resettlement of the disabled.
13. This Committee has made a detailed study of the main war pensions provisions in the respective countries and there has been a wide exchange of useful information about pension systems. These studies have not yet been completed. A number of minor recommendations on the harmonisation of certain points of pensions procedure have been agreed in principle, but as regards the harmonisation of the important differences in the main war pension provisions, e.g., basic rates, the Committee has met with difficulties which so far have proved insurmountable.
General Considerations
14. The activities of these various Committees show that the machinery of the Brussels Treaty has been a means of securing closer co-operation between the Five Powers and while it is recognised that the development towards uniform standards of social services in the respective countries is a long-term process, it is clear that certain practical steps have already been taken in that direction. If account is taken of the relatively short period of time over which these develop- ments have taken place they cannot but be regarded as satisfactory. And it is important to recognise that under the impulse provided by the Brussels Treaty, the habit of close consultation between the national services and Departments has begun. Once the habit has formed, it can be expected to yield further important. developments of a co-operative nature in the social and related fields.
15. In these circumstances we would not wish to recommend at the present stage any change in the existing machinery through which social matters are discussed between the Brussels Powers. This machinery has been the result of development according to the needs of the situation and is sufficiently flexible to allow for further adjustment as the need arises. In due course it will undoubtedly be necessary to consider how the machinery should be adapted in order best to fit in with the broader structure now envisaged in the Council of Europe. This is a difficult matter which it is understood will shortly be engaging the attention of the Permanent Commission and the Consultative Council of the Brussels Powers. Some considerable time is bound to elapse before the Secre- tariat of the new organisation in Strasbourg can be created, and it is too early