HC Deb 06 July 1920 vol 131 cc1228-9
65. Mr. PALMER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the demand which has been referred back to the company by the Financial Department of the Ministry of Transport that the payment of £50,000 to the ex-deputy general manager of the railway, in settlement of an agreement arrived at in 1912 and determined in 1919 should be made under the State guarantee, has yet come before his Department; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

My attention was called to this matter some time ago by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport (Sir Eric Geddes) who requested, that since he was personally concerned, the subject should be dealt with by the Treasury and not by the Ministry. I have instructed Sir Hardman Lever, the Treasury representative in the Ministry, not to admit the payment as chargeable against the Government guarantee.