§ Mr. WILLIAM PEELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in making appointments to the clerical staff necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the National Insurance Bill, he will offer appointments in the first instance, to volunteers or selections from the Civil Service; and whether he will make arrangements as soon as practicable to throw open these appointments to competition in preference to recruiting them by means of patronage?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. McKinnon Wood)Under Clause 41 of the Bill it is for the Insurance Commissioners to appoint their staff and I cannot give any guarantee as to the details of the arrangements before the Commissioners are themselves actually appointed.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members of Parliament are already being pressed to use their influence in connection with the making of appointments? If the Government would make an announcement on the subject forthwith that the claims of everybody would be considered, the appointments might be all the better.
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI am well aware that Members of Parliament have received a great many communications. I have received a considerable number myself, but a number of days ago the announcement was made that no application would be even recorded until the Bill was passed.
§ Mr. PEELDoes it follow from what the right hon. Gentleman has said that the Government will have no control over the appointments by the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI think my answer was perfectly explicit.
§ Mr. WATTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Members of this House will have any influence whatever in obtaining posts for applicants under the National Insurance Bill if it becomes an Act; and, if not, will he take any means to announce to possible applicants that they need not apply to Members of the House?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI have every sympathy with the object that prompts my hon. Friend's question, but, as I have just explained to the hon. Member for Taunton, it will be for the Insurance Commissioners, who do not yet exist, to make these appointments. At present it is obviously useless to apply either to hon. Members or to anyone else.
Mr. HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any Members of this House will obtain posts under the Bill?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI do not know of anyone.
§ Mr. HAROLD SMITHWill the Government consent to these posts being filled by an impartial Committee, so as to insure the appointment of those best qualified, and not merely those whose qualification is that they are supporters of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI agree with the hon. Member that support by Members of the Government or Members of this House is not in itself a qualification and ought not to be considered.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENWhat are to be the powers of the Treasury?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODThe appointments will be made by the Commissioners.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENSurely these appointments are subject to the approval of the Treasury?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI do not recollect any provision to that effect.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis discussion should have taken place in Committee on the Bill.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIt was guillotined.