HC Deb 22 March 1906 vol 154 cc638-9
MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will consider the propriety of making an arrangement, commencing with the financial year 1906–7, by which substantial reductions may ‡ See (41) Debates, cxlvi., 88. be effected in the salaries of Secretaries of State, Under-Secretaries, and other members of the Government, with a view to effect such economies in the public service as may help to provide sufficient funds for carrying into effect the declared views of the House of Commons.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am not of opinion that the officials in question are overpaid for the duties they discharge.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will take the necessary measures to ensure that the salary of the President of the Board of Trade shall in future be fixed at £5,000 a year, and the salary of the President of the Local Government Board raised to £3,000, the salary of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade and of the Local Government Board to be fixed at £1,500 a year, and the salary of the Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade and of the Local Government Board at £2,000 a year, in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee appointed by Treasury Minute, dated July 18th, 1903, so that the status and pay of the staffs of these Departments may be proportionately increased.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I believe there have been proposals for a re-adjustment of salaries, and the late Government announced a Bill for that purpose in the King's Speech last year; but the matter went no further. I am not prepared to promise any legislation on the subject during the present session.

MR. CROOKS

Was the proposal bracketed with the redistribution scheme?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It has gone the same way.