HC Deb 08 February 1926 vol 191 cc636-7
74. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Mayor of Bermondsey is employed by the guardians of the district as relieving officer at a salary of £450 a year, in which capacity he administers outdoor relief to the electors; whether he is aware that in his capacity of mayor he is also paid a further sum of £400 per annum, and that when elected to such office in November last he was granted full leave of absence from his duties as relieving officer by the guardians; and what action is being taken by the Ministry in the matter?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)

My right hon. Friend has made inquiries and is informed that the Guardians of the Parish of Bermondsey have granted to Mr. I. Stokes, relieving officer, power to apply to the clerk to the guardians for reasonable leave of absence, not entailing the engagement of any substitute for Mr. Stokes, for the purpose of carrying out duties as Mayor of Bermondsey. Up to the present, leave has been granted on 13 occasions only, in four instances for half-days, in five instances for absences of two hours, and four instances for absences of one hour. While my right hon. Friend does not think the arrangement is a desirable one, he has at present no effective power of intervention in the matter.

Sir W. DAVISON

Would the Minister of Health take into consideration the desirability of introducing legislation as soon as possible to prevent the ratepayers from maladministration of this kind?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member ought not to use those controversial adjectives.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that there are many precedents for such an arrangement as has been come to in Bermondsey in regard to this officer?

Sir K. WOOD

I cannot say; but I do not think that they make it any more desirable.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that in communications to the Poplar Guardians the hon. Gentleman's own Department admitted that this sort of thing had been in operation by members of the other parties for years in the country?

Sir K. WOOD

I am not aware of that.

Mr. LANSBURY

Then you ought to be.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the precedent of releasing servants for mayoral duties is one observed by almost all reputable employers?

Sir K. WOOD

No, Sir. This course is regarded by my right hon. Friend and myself as not desirable.