§ 56. Captain BOURNEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport is at present in receipt of the official salary of £1,200 per annum attached to that office?
§ Captain BOURNECan the hon. Gentleman say under what authority this payment is being made?
§ Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCEOn further examination, it appears that there is already statutory authority under Section 25 (2) of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, for the appointment of a Parliamentary Secretary at a salary not exceeding £1,500, and, as far as can be foreseen, this can be made available on the Ministry of Transport Vote.
§ Captain BOURNEIs it not the case that money will have to be provided by Parliament under that Act, and may I ask the hon. Gentleman when Parliament has in fact provided these moneys?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe position is exactly the same as it was in the year 1924. There had been no Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport under the Labour Government of that year. When the Conservative Government came into office in November of 1924, a Parliamentary Secretary, as well as a Minister, was appointed, but no Supplementary Estimate was presented to Parliament.