HC Deb 24 June 1919 vol 117 cc23-4
35. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what members of the staff of the North-Eastern Railway Company have been, are, or are proposed to be employed in connection with the Ministry of Ways and Communications; what remuneration they were receiving at the railway; what it is proposed they should receive at the Ministry; and what are the other terms of their employment?

Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)

Sir Francis Dunnell and Lieutenant-Colonel Beharrell, of the North-Eastern Railway Company, have been, and are being, employed in connection with the Ministry of Ways and Communications. It is proposed that when the Ministry is established Lieutenant-Colonel Beharrell should leave the service of the company and be appointed to a post in the Ministry with a salary of £2,500 a year.

Mr. HOGGE

Have these gentlemen been drawing salaries both from the North-Eastern Railway Company and the Government?

Mr. BALDWIN

No, Sir; they are still lent, and are not paid any public money.

36. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what remuneration Sir Francis Dunnell was drawing from the North-Eastern Railway Company and what he is going to receive from the Government as general secretary to the Ministry of Ways and Communications?

Mr. BALDWIN

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on Wednesday, 4th June, Sir Francis Dunnell will continue to receive, while his services are loaned to the Government, the same salary as he was drawing from the North-Eastern Railway Company. If, at a later date, Sir Francis Dunnell is permanently transferred to the Government service, his salary will be such as the Treasury may approve. The emoluments which he is now receiving are a personal matter between the directors of the company and Sir Francis Dunnell.

Mr. R. McNEILL

Can the hon. Gentleman say, in the event of this gentleman going to the Ministry, he will receive ft lump sum from the railway company under any contract?

Mr. BALDWIN

Of that I have no knowledge, and it could not possibly come within my Department.

Mr. McNEILL

If that were so, would it not ultimately be paid by the taxpayer?

Mr. BALDWIN

That is a question which should be addressed to the Minister of Ways and Communications.

Mr. MARRIOTT

Is there such a Ministry?