HC Deb 11 November 1920 vol 134 cc1477-8

Postponed Proceeding resumed on Amendment to Question, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider whether the salaries of any of the Ministers are relatively inadequate and should be increased; and, if so, to what extent.

Question again proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

Dr. MURRAY

I quite agree with the Motion. This is a matter which ought to be inquired into, for there are many anomalies in the salaries of Ministers. It is quite an easy matter to get a cheap reputation for economy by opposing a proposal of this sort. It is not real economy to starve important Members of the Ministry. I appreciate the suggestion of an hon. Member with regard to securing the future of the Prime Minister. In any event, this Committee has only to inquire into the facts and we can discuss the matter again. I must express my regret that the officers of this House are not included in the Motion. I do not see why the Speaker, who has to listen to all these speeches, and the Chairman of Committees, should not be included in the Motion.

Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," put, and negatived.

Proposed words there added.

Ordered, that a Select Committee be appointed to consider what the remuneration of Ministers should be.

Mr. Charles Barrie, Mr. Beckett, Sir Burton Chadwick, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Mr. Clynes, Colonel Sir Godfrey Collins, Sir Henry Dalziel, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr. Hogge, Sir Harry Hope, Lieut.-Colonel Jackson, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Thomas Shaw, Mr. J. W. Wilson and Lieut.-Commander Hilton Young nominated members of the Committee.

Ordered, that the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.

Ordered, that Five be the quorum.—[Colonel Gibbs.]

The remaining Government Orders were read, and postponed.