24. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary to the Treasury if Mr. J. T. Davies, who is at present acting as private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is also a first-class clerk under the Welsh Insurance Commission; if he is in receipt of a salary in respect of each of these positions and the amount of the same; what portion of his time is devoted to the work of the Insurance Commission and what proportion to his duties as secretary to the Chancellor; whether Mr. Davies entered the Civil Service as the result of open competitive examination; and what position he occupied before obtaining his present appointments?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs regards the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Denbigh Boroughs on the 2nd March. The answer to the fourth part is in the negative. Mr. Davies was formerly employed as a schoolmaster under the London County Council.
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt frequently happens that a permanent official is asked to fill a position as private secretary to a Minister, and in that case he receives the private secretary's allowance.
Mr. F. HALLIs it not the fact that certain salaries have been fixed for these positions in consideration of the occupant giving his whole time to the duties? How is it possible for this gentleman to give his whole time to each of two separate appointments?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is a very usual thing for a gentleman in permanent employment to act in another capacity.
Mr. F. HALLBut how can he be a permanent officer in permanent employment in two situations at the same time?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is an habitual practice, not only under this Administration but under others.
§ Mr. G. FABERWhich position did he hold first?
§ Mr. MONTAGUHe was in the Welsh Insurance Department, but was seconded to act as private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.