§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked whether it is to be understood that the Development Commissioners are in the position of ordinary Government Departments acting under the instructions of a Minister who takes responsibility to Parliament for all their actions and decisions; and whether the Commissioners have therefore, before taking any important decision or action, to ascertain, and then to carry out, the views of the responsible Minister, and are not free to form and to act upon their own views as a Commission?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir. The Development Commissioners are free to form their own views on subjects within their cognisance, and report them to the Treasury. They have, however, no executive powers, and cannot, therefore, themselves carry out schemes to which they 962 are favourable. It rests with the Treasury to decide whether or not the schemes recommended by the Commissioners should be adopted and the necessary sums advanced from the Development Fund; but if the Commissioners decline to recommend a scheme their veto is final, so far as the fund is concerned. For further information, I may refer the hon. Member to page 6 of the Commissioners' First Report (House of Commons, 199, of 1911).
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAre the Development Commissioners in the same position as the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey are in a totally different position. They are a purely advisory body. The Insurance Commissioners have executive powers.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAre the Insurance Commissioners bound to act on a recommendation from the Treasury?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Insurance Commissioners have executive powers for which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible to this House.