HC Deb 30 April 1913 vol 52 cc1174-5
92. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the proposed appointment by the Lancashire Insurance Committee of a clerk at a salary of £500 per annum; whether he is aware that the person to be appointed is already clerk to the Lancashire County Council, clerk to the justices of the peace, secretary to the Lancashire Education Committee, and holds other salaried appointments, bringing him in altogether a salary of over £5,000 a year; and whether the Insurance Commissioners will consider the advisability of refusing to confirm the appointment and suggesting the appointment of a man who can devote his time to the duties of the office?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am informed that the appointment of the clerk to the Lancashire County Council as clerk to the Lancashire Insurance Committee was fully discussed at a meeting of that committee and was carried by a large majority. The gentleman appointed has been acting as clerk to the committee during the past nine months, and the Commissioners see no reason to override the decision of the committee. I may add that the appointment is terminable at three months' notice and is subject to revision by the new committee, which is shortly to be constituted.

Mr. ALBERT SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the arrangements for the administration of Part I. of the Insurance Act in Lancashire are in a very backward state, and that in no single district has a meeting yet been held?

Mr. MASTERMAN

My impression was that Lancashire was one of the most forward of all the counties in dealing with Insurance. If there is any dissatisfaction with the work of this gentleman the new committee, which will be appointed in a very few weeks from now, can express their dissatisfaction by appointing someone else.

Mr. A. SMITH

Can the right. hon. Gentleman say in what part of Lancashire a district meeting has been held?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I cannot answer that without notice.

Mr. POINTER

Are we to assume that this position is a sinecure, seeing that the gentleman who is to have it can do so many other things at the same time?

Mr. MASTERMAN

So far as I am concerned the gentleman who is to have the position appears to regard it as anything but a sinecure, judging from the number of times he has appeared before the Insurance Commissioners.