HC Deb 03 June 1892 vol 5 cc565-6

SECOND READING.

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill now read a second time."

MR. SEXTON

This Bill, as I understand, is introduced in redemption of a pledge given last year. The Rent Commissioners who hold their office in virtue of the Act of 1881, have a salary of £3,000 a year, and the Land Purchase Commissioners, who derive their tenure from the Act of 1885 have a salary of £2,000 a year, and it is in order to amend, as I believe, the disparity between the salaries of these two classes of Commissioners, whose functions are similar, that this Bill is introduced. I wish to ask if this Bill will really equalise the salaries of these different Commissioners?

*MR. JACKSON

In reply to the hon. Member I may say that this Bill is introduced, if not to redeem a pledge, at all events on the understanding come to in 1891 that when the duties of the Fair Rent Commissioners and the Land Purchase Commissioners became the same, and, in fact, interchangeable, there should be an equality in the pay. I believe it is the object of the Bill to carry into effect that understanding, and it is provided that each class of Commissioners have the option of receiving £3,000 a year without a pension or £2,500 a year with a pension. Of course, it is possible to equalise matters in one of two ways, either by raising the one or lowering the other. We have decided on the former method, but we hope to effect some economy later on, because when a vacancy occurs the number of the Commissioners will be reduced by one, and in that way we shall practically provide the money necessary to equalise the salaries.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday, 13th June.