HC Deb 26 November 1925 vol 188 cc1581-3
35. Mr. TAYLOR

asked the Home Secretary whether the volunteer service committees referred to in paragraph 2 of Circular 636, sent out by the Ministry of Health on the 20th November, 1925, will be under the administrative control of the Home Office; whether the chairmen of these committees have been appointed.; and, if not, when they will be appointed and by whom?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The administrative responsibility in this matter rests with the Chief Civil Commissioner, and gentlemen have been selected to act as chairmen of these committees if and when need for their services arises. The Chief Civil Commissioner is responsible to a Cabinet Committee over which the Secretary of State for the Home Department presides.

Mr. TAYLOR

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether there will be given to the House the names of the members and the chairmen of these committees? Will members of the Fascisti be eligible?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I take it that the names will be published if it is ever necessary to set up the committees, which I hope will not be necessary.

76. Mr. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Health the names of the divisional food officers appointed in accordance with the terms of Circular 636, sent out by the Ministry of Health and dated 20th November, 1925; the dates on which such appointments were made; whether such officers are receiving full or part-time salaries; and if any of them were authorised and, if so, by whom to send out secret communications in October last to the clerks to local authorities from an address in London, not being the address of a Government Department, on note-paper bearing the Royal Arms?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I We been asked to reply. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of these officers; and the dates of their appointment. A retaining fee not exceeding a hundred guineas per annum will be paid to the majority of them. They have, of course, been authorised to conduct necessary correspondence, and they do so from their own addresses in cases where no Government office accommodation is available.

Mr. TAYLOR

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has authorised the sending of correspondence marked "Secret" to clerks to local authorities at their private addresses? Has he authorised that himself?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I have authorised these Commissioners to conduct such correspondence as is necessary in the discharge of their duty. They will conduct that correspondence with secrecy or otherwise as is best in the interests of the public service.

Mr. J. BECKETT

What particular qualification have these gentlemen?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Administrative efficiency and knowledge of their work.

Following is the list referred to:

LIST OF DIVISIONAL, FOOD OFFICERS WITH DATES OF APPOINTMENT.

Northern.—Major-General Sir R. A. Kerr Montgomery, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., 14th September, 1925.

North Eastern.—W. Carby Hall, Esq., C.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

North Western.—Sir Arnold Rushton, 29th September, 1925.

North Midland.—W. O. MacArthur, Esq., 14th September, 1925.

Midland.—T. Pritchett, Esq., O.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

Eastern.—R. J. Boyce, Esq., 12th October, 1925.

London and Home Counties.—Hon. Horace Woodhouse, C.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

South Midland.—E. W. J. Arman, Esq., O.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

South Western.— Lieut.-Colonel E. F. Strange, C.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

North Wales.—J. R. Hughes, Esq., C.B.E., 14th September, 1925.

South Wales.—Sir Thomas Jones, K.B.E., 14th September, 1925.