HC Deb 16 December 1919 vol 123 cc226-7
46. Sir HENRY CRAIK

asked the Prime Minister if he can give an undertaking that early next Session the Minis- tries and Secretaries Bill will be reintroduced and prosecnted, or that some other remedy will be found for the present unsatisfactory situation of certain Ministers, both as regards status and emoluments, and for the anomalous condition now prevailing under which certain Ministers receive smaller salaries than officers serving under them in their Departments?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government fully recognise the anomalies and unfairness of the present arrangement, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present

Sir H. CRAIK

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his answer. I hope to have an opportunity during an early Debate to raise this question.

Mr. STEWART

Do the Government consider that the Minister for Education and the Minister of Labour are adequately remunerated with —2,000 a year?

Mr. SONAR LAW

The Government do not think so, and, in addition to that, they think it is very unfair as compared with the payments to other Ministers.

Major W. MURRAY

Is the Secretary for Scotland adequately remunerated?

Captain REDMOND

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the poor Chief Secretary for Ireland should get more?

Mr. DEVLIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are many Ministers and Secretaries who are not worth anything at all?

Mr. SONAR LAW

That may have been so, but that. is not the case at present.