HC Deb 06 April 1927 vol 204 cc2038-9
10. Mr. T. HENDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Director of the Foreign Division of the Department of Overseas Trade receives the cost-of-living bonus in addition to his salary of £1,368 and, if so, what is the amount of the bonus; and why in addition this official receives an allowance of £300 from the Department of Overseas Trade?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The sum of £1,368 provided for the Director of the Foreign Division of the Department of Overseas Trade includes the cost-of-living bonus. This officer was previously Commercial Counsellor in Japan, and received as such a salary of 1,700, plus bonus and allowances. In view of his special qualifications, it was considered desirable, in the interests of the public service, that he should be appointed to the post of Director of the Foreign Division on the normal scale of £1,000 rising to£1,200 per annum, and, in part compensation for the loss in salary and allowances entailed by the transfer, he was given an allowance of £300 per annum. On the other hand, the present occupant of the post in Japan receives salary on a lower scale, and, taking the two posts together, there is a small saving to the Exchequer.