HC Deb 22 May 1930 vol 239 cc581-2
71. Sir A. POWNALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can now say what has been drawn in the financial year ending 31st March, 1930, as salary and fees by the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)

The amounts, correct to the nearest £, are as follows:

— Salary. Fees. Total.
Attorney-General. £ £ £
Sir T. W. H. Inskip 1,346 8,783 10,129
Sir W. Jowitt 5,654 8,787 14,441
Solicitor-General.
Sir F. B. Merriman 1,154 3,147 4,301
Sir J. B. Melville 4,846 3,625 8,471

Sir K. WOOD

Are these figures an example of "Socialism" in our time"?

Sir A. POWNALL

Have the Government any intention of altering the arrangement by which legal gentlemen get these very large sums?

Mr. THORNE

You had the chance; why did not you alter it?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

As the hon. Gentleman knows quite well, that is not a question for me to answer. These fees are determined by considerations which were decided long before the present Government came into office.