MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in what capacity have Sir H. G. Bergne, Mr. T. J. Pittar, Mr. G. Martineau, Mr. E. C. Ozanne, and Mr. A. Pearson, respectively, taken part in the proceedings of the Permanent Sugar Commission at Brussels; by whom were they respectively appointed to take such part; what salary and what sum for expenses is paid or to be paid to each of them; and in what Vote or Votes are such salaries or expenses to be found.
§ LORD CRANBORNESir H. G. Bergne acted as British delegate; the other gentlemen as assistant delegates. They were appointed by the Secretary of State. Sir H. Bergne is receiving pay at the rate of £400 a year (in addition to his pension) and Mr. Martineau a retaining fee of £300 for one year. Both appointments are for one year only. No salaries have been assigned to Mr. Pittar and Mr. Pearson in addition to their salaries as Commissioner of Customs and principal clerk in the Colonial Office respectively. With the exception of Mr. Ozanne (who is paid by the India Office) each of the above gentlemen have received travelling and subsistence allowances during absence 76 from this country. The above sums are paid from the Diplomatic Vote, sub-head Special Missions.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESasked if there was any precedent for paying a salary to a pensioned official under such circumstances?
§ LORD CRANBORNEreplied that a full salary was not paid—the pension was taken into account.