HC Deb 26 February 1924 vol 170 cc225-6
3. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the captains and chief engineers of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's fleet of tankers are paid less than half the average wage of that paid to officers in oil tankers owned by the Shell Transport Company and the Burmah Oil Company, and that the two latter companies extend more liberal allowances for annual leave and retirement to their officers than do the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; whether, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government owns a controlling interest in the shares of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and nominates two directors on the board, he will have the matter remedied; and whether the directors' fees in the Anglo-Persian Company are less than those paid to directors in the Burmah and Shell Companies?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Snowden)

His Majesty's Government are pledged not to interfere in the commercial management of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. The British Tanker Company pays, I am informed, the standard rates of the National Maritime Wages Board, and has always a long waiting list of captains and officers desirous of entering its service. I understand that the Anglo-Saxon Company's rates and those of the Burmah Oil Company are considerably higher, but, on the other hand, the conditions of service may differ so markedly as to explain the difference of pay. As to the third part of the question, His Majesty's Government have no information.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Cannot friendly representations be made? If we are not allowed to take any commercial part in the company, surely we can point out this anomaly?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I am not satisfied, on the information in my possession, that there is any ground for complaint with regard to the Anglo-Persian Company.

An HON. MEMBER

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the name of the Minister responsible for pledging the Government to take no share in the commercial control of the company?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the present Government intend to continue the policy of previous Governments, namely, to leave the commercial management of this company entirely to the free discretion of the directors?

Mr. SNOWDEN

That is so.