HC Deb 14 April 1920 vol 127 cc1672-3
46. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister what precedent there is for the appointment of a Minister without portfolio apart from war conditions; what duties the new Minister is to perform; what salary is to be attached to the office; and on what Vote it can be discussed?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The duties of my right hon. Friend will be of the same nature as those performed by General Smuts and my right hon. Friend the Member for the Gorbals Division of Glasgow, and in the opinion of the Government the appointment is as necessary now as during the War.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the first part of the question as to precedent, and will he say what salary is attached to the office, and on what Vote it can be discussed? Is it not a fact that General Smuts and the right hon. Member for the Gorbals Division (Mr. Barnes) were appointed during the War, and that now we are under peace conditions the duties cannot be analagous?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have already answered the last part of the question. In the opinion of the Government, the duties, though not strictly analagous, are as important and as necessary now as during the War. The salary is £5,000, and it is included in a Vote, which has been presented to the House, for Cabinet offices.

Sir DONALD MACLEAN

When the conditions approximate more to normal peace conditions, will such an office as this be done away with?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Most certainly. It is perhaps rather difficult for the House to realise what is a fact that the pressure on Ministers is greater since the War. That is the necessity for, this appointment.

Sir R. COOPER

Is it not generally recognised that the Minister appointed to this office is one of the best administrators on the Treasury Bench, and could he not be better used at the head of one of the great spending Departments?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No. It is because I agree with my hon. Friend that this appointment has been made. It is due to the importance of the office that he has been appointed to it.

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