HC Deb 13 January 1913 vol 46 cc1653-5
30. Mr. FRED HALL

asked, in respect of the moneys paid by the Board of Trade for appearances at the recent "Titanic" Inquiry, whether the sum of £750 was paid to Messrs. Helder, Roberts, and Company; and how much of this represented counsel's fees to the hon. and learned Member for East Glamorganshire, and how much for the solicitor's other outlay?

Mr. BUXTON

The sum of £750 was paid to Messrs. Helder, Roberts, and Company in connection with the "Titanic" Inquiry. Two-thirds of this amount represented counsel's fees, and one-third solicitor's costs.

31. Mr. FRED HALL

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state, in respect of the moneys paid by the Board of Trade for appearances at the recent "Titanic" Inquiry, whether the sum of £750 was paid to Mr. Alexander Smith; and how much of this represented counsel's fees to the hon. and learned Member for North Sligo and how much for the solicitors' other outlay?

Mr. BUXTON

The sum of £750 was paid to Mr. Alexander Smith in connection with the "Titanic" Inquiry. Two-thirds of this sum represented counsel's fees and one-third solicitor's costs.

Mr. FRED HALL

May I ask whether calamities of this nature should be used as an opportunity to distribute largesse to the supporters of the Government?

Mr. PRINGLE

Arising out of the supplementary question, is it not the case that the fees in the "Titanic" Inquiry were fixed not by the Board of Trade, but by Lord Mersey acting under statutory powers in the ordinary course?

Mr. MOORE

Is it not the case that the fees were fixed by agreement with the Attorney-General on behalf of the Crown; and is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Nationalist party passed a resolution that no Member of that party shall accept any money from the Government in any shape or form, and yet there is a sum of £500 for the hon. Member for North Sligo (Mr. Scanlan)?

Mr. BUXTON

I understand that was in his professional capacity, and had nothing to do with his political opinions. In regard to the question of the hon. Member for North-West Lanarkshire (Mr. Pringle) I cannot answer offhand whether Lord Mersey did make some regulations actually fixing the fees.

Mr. FRED HALL

Is it not rather strange that Members of the Nationalist party and a Member of the Welsh party—

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order. Those are questions which the hon. Member can answer for himself.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is it not the fact that the two hon. Members above the Gangway have neither the capacity nor the ability to earn the money?

Mr. MOORE

We were not ejected by the police, at any rate.

87. Mr. HILLS

asked the Attorney-General who was responsible for fixing the fees payable to the Law Officers of the Crown, and the other counsel employed in the "Titanic" Inquiry?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The responsibility for fixing the fees paid to counsel representing the public in connection with the "Titanic" Inquiry rests with the Board of Trade. The necessary Treasury sanction was, of course, duly obtained.