HC Deb 08 August 1919 vol 119 cc838-9

(1) For the purpose of exercising in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, the administrative powers and duties of the Com missioners (other than those relating to statistics, instruction and training, inquiries, experiments and research), and such of their other powers or duties as the Commissioners may determine, the Commissioners shall appoint three persons to be Assistant Commissioners, of whom one shall be appointed as Assistant Commissioner for England and Wales, one for Scotland, and one for Ireland.

(2) The salaries of the Assistant Commissioners shall be such as the Treasury may determine, and the Commissioners may from time to time re move any Assistant Commissioner and appoint another person to be Assistant Commissioner in his place.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1) to leave out the words, "the Commissioners" ["the Commissioners shall appoint"], and insert in stead thereof the words "His Majesty by Order in Council."

Under the Bill it will be possible for the Commissioners to appoint and dismiss, as they may determine, an Assistant Commissioner in each of the three countries of the United Kingdom. I only speak so far as Scotland is concerned. No doubt the hon. Baronet (Sir P. Magnus), who is the watch-dog of England, will give us his views in respect of England. So far as Scotland is concerned it would meet with the approval of the Scottish people if some such Amendment as this was put into the Bill. If there was a desire on the part of the Commissioners to appoint a new Assistant Commissioner for Scotland, Scotland should have some say in the appointment, and that could only be achieved by the appointment being made by His Majesty by Order in Council and not by the Commissioners direct, as they are empowered to do under the Bill.

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am sorry I cannot possibly accept this Amendment. It would mean reversing the usual practice in all Government Departments, whereby Assistant Commissioners are appointed by the Chief Commissioners or by the Department itself. This would cause friction. According to the Amendment, these officials would neither be appointed by, nor removable by the head officer. They would be semi-independent persons. That is most undesirable, and would lead to much trouble. Therefore, I hope the hon. Member will not press the Amendment.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

In the next Clause the Consultative Committee will be appointed by Order in Council.

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The Consultative Committee is quite a different thing. It is a Committee to consult, but these are executive officers, and the executive officers of a Department must be appointed in. the usual way. You cannot go over the heads of the Department.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

I beg leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.