§ 20. Colonel DAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the number of officials who were on the pay-roll of the British Empire Exhibition, at Wembley, in receipt of salaries exceeding an average of £1,000 per year?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I understand from information supplied by the liquidators that eight officials of the British Empire Exhibition were in receipt, on 31st October last, of salaries exceeding £1,000 per annum. This figure does not include the Financial Controller, who was appointed by the Treasury, and received his salary from His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel DAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that several reports have appeared lately in which it is said that over 70 officials were in receipt of £1,000 a year?
§ Mr. SAMUELI cannot hold myself responsible for foolish reports.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes the hon. Gentleman consider that his answer is the true representation of the state of affairs during the last 12 months of the Exhibition?
§ Mr. SAMUELThe answer that I gave is, of course, a true reply to the question put to me.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESI did not suggest that the hon. Gentleman did not 1803 give a true reply. I asked him whether he considered that the figures of 31st October represented the position during the last 12 months?
§ Mr. SAMUELI am not called upon to consider whether my answer refers to a question which was not put to me.