HC Deb 19 April 1910 vol 16 cc1882-3
Mr. TOBIN

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take effective measures before the Spring Recess to make the salary of the President of the Local Government Board equal to that of the President of the Board of Trade?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid it will be impossible to take any effective steps until the Speaker has been got out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates.

Mr. T. LOUGH

Has any change taken place in the salary of the President of the Board of Trade? If so, is it under the Act that was passed last year, the terms of which state that the salary shall be fixed at the sum which Parliament may determine; and has Parliament yet determined what the change will be, and if not, when will it have an opportunity of doing so?

The PRIME MINISTER

It will appear in the Estimates.

Mr. LOUGH

Does my right hon. Friend think that that is the way for Parliament to determine the salary? If it appears on the Estimates, it will be the Government that will determine, and Parliament will have to approve.

The PRIME MINISTER

The Government will make their proposal, and Parliament will cither approve or disapprove.

Mr. A. C. MORTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that he will not guillotine that Vote?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot at present give any undertaking.