§ 22. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport whether a representative of the Treasury is attached to his Department at a salary of £5,000 a year; when was this official appointed; what are his duties; by whom was the remuneration fixed; and when will the appointment terminate?
Mr. YOUNGI have been asked to reply. A Treasury representative is employed within the Ministry of Transport for the purpose of supervising the various financial transactions of that Department from a Treasury point of view. This officer was appointed for a term of three years in August, 1919, when the Ministry of Transport Bill was passed into law. His salary, which is of the amount stated in my hon. Friend's question, was fixed by the Board of Treasury and has been submitted to the approval of this House in the Treasury Vote.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre we to understand that the Minister of Transport is 1786 paid £5,000 a year to watch the railway companies, and the Treasury appoint another official at £5,000 to watch the Minister of Transport? Will the Minister of Transport say whether he is familiar with the old adage of "big fleas having, little fleas upon their backs to bite them," and why is his Department so largely composed of big bugs, all of whom are eating into the finances of the country?