33. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. WALLasked the Minister of Transport if Mr. C. H. Merz is at present employed by the Ministry of Transport in any, and if so, in what capacity and on what terms; if he was formerly employed in a consulting or any other capacity by the North Eastern Railway Compay; if so, whether his connection with the company has now, ceased entirely; if he will state whether it was intended to make use of the services of Mr. Merz for the carrying out of the arrangements under the Electricity (Supply) Bill should it become law, and: should it provide for the transfer of the powers given thereunder from the Board of Trade to the Ministry of Transport; and, if so, whether any undertaking on this point of any kind has been given to Mr. Merz by or on behalf of the Government, or by the Minister himself unofficially?
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo, Sir; Mr. Merz is not employed in any capacity by the Ministry of Transport, and it is not and never has been the intention to employ him in the administration of the Electricity (Supply) Bill should it become law, 1426 the Chief Commissioner-designate being Sir John Snell. I have, however, asked Mr. Merz, whose knowledge of the application of electricity to traction is unrivalled, whether in certain circumstances he will assist the Ministry of Transport in questions of electrical traction. As Mr. Merz is now, I believe, in Australia, the matter cannot be carried further at present.