HC Deb 13 January 1916 vol 77 cc1757-8
49. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked what funds, if any, have been placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee set up under the Pensions Act; whether a secretary has been appointed and what the staff is to be; whether any premises have yet been allocated to the business of the Committee; and when he expects that the Committee will begin its work?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

The question of the funds to be placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee is receiving consideration. No decision has yet been arrived at in the matter of the appointment of a secretary and staff, or as to the choice of permanent offices, but correspondence may be addressed for the president to the vice-chairman, at the offices of the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation, 17, Waterloo Place, S.W. The Committee will hold its first meeting on Monday next.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how the work of the Statutory Committee is to go on without any funds whatsoever?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

The work of organising the Committee which will do this work can easily go on with very little expense, the money for which can be readily obtained. In a short time we hope to know the decision of the Government as to the funds, and that decision will be communicated to the House.

Mr. RAFFAN

When the Statutory Committee is set up to which Minister will questions have to be addressed?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

The Prime Minister has arranged that, for the present at all events, I shall answer all the questions of hon. Members relating to the Statutory Committee.

Mr. HOGGE

Is it not a waste of public money to appoint a paid secretary in addition to a paid vice-chairman?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I should say certainly not. If the hon. Member will look at the functions and powers of this Statutory Committee he will see the enormous amount of work which they will have to do all over the country in England, Scotland and Ireland, and he will see that a paid secretary is absolutely necessary, as well as a paid vice-chairman.

Mr. HOGGE

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that it was advocated in this House that there should be a paid secretary instead of a paid vice-chairman?