§ Resolution reported, "That it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of the salaries and remuneration payable to the President, officers, and servants of the Board of Pensions constituted under any Act of the present Session establishing a Board of Pensions."
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."
Sir H. DALZIELThis Resolution asks the House to confirm the action of the Committee in providing certain moneys. I would like to ask from what source, from what Vote, is the Pensions Minister being paid at the present time? Is he being paid as Paymaster-General; if so, will he receive his salary as occupant of that office while he receives this one? We ought to know whether any salary attaches to the post of Labour Adviser. Is the right hon. Gentleman going to occupy both posts? Will any salary appear on the Votes for the Labour Adviser? Can my right hon. Friend say what the amount of his salary is to be, and also that of the Parliamentary Secretary?
§ The PAYMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. A. Henderson)It appears to me that the first question is entirely outside the scope of this Bill. And it will be very much better if my right hon. Friend will address any questions in regard to my personal position and salary to the Prime Minister. In regard to the second question, the scale of a Parliamentary Secretary to a Minister with a salary of £2,000 is £1,200.
§ Mr. PRINGLEMy right hon. Friend has somewhat misinterpreted the terms 48 of the Bill. I find in Clause 5, Sub-section (2), the words:
"There shall be paid, out of moneys provided by Parliament, to the President of the Board, unless he holds another salaried office …"
Consequently the question put to my right hon. Friend was quite relevent to the Bill constituting the Board of Pensions. Obviously we must consider whether any additional charge is now being placed upon the Treasury. The answer to that question depends upon whether the prospective holder of the office at the present time holds a salaried office. As I understand, my right hon. Friend asks whether the prospective Minister of Pensions at the present time holds a salaried office in the Cabinet. We understand that the office by which name he is known, that of Paymaster-General, is an unsalaried office. We also know that he holds another office which does not appear in the Votes, which is only a recent creation and which has no statutory existence. We do not even know whether or not that is a salaried office. Under these circumstances, I think that my right hon. Friend is bound to give some information to the House: in the first place, as to whether or not he does hold another salaried office, because in the event of his holding another salaried office it is a question whether there will be any effective payment under this Resolution so long as he retains the Presidency of the Board of Pensions. The question is, I think, relevent, and I hope he will see that it is so and will give a reply.
§ Mr. HENDERSONI again ask that the question should be referred to the Prime Minister. The only promise that I can give is this: that, whatever salary is included in this Bill, will not make any difference so far as I am concerned.
§ Mr. HENDERSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me a question and he is answering it himself. After all, the position is, I admit, rather anomalous. I am quite prepared to tell the House that I do not know whether I am paid as Labour Adviser or Paymaster-General; but these are questions that ought to be addressed to the Prime Minister.
§ Question put, and agreed to.