§ 45. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Prime Minister if he will consider, in the interests of public economy, fixing the remuneration of his legal advisers on the scale applicable to ordinary Ministers of the Crown?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The hon. Member will remember that this question was carefully considered by the Select Committees on Ministers' Remuneration which reported in 1920 and 1930. The former suggested a slight reduction, but the Government of the time took no action, and the latter made no recommendation. I understand, however, that before the end of the last financial year the Law Officers themselves made a proposal to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a reduction of their emoluments, and that this proposal is under consideration.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIn view of the fact that the Attorney-General received more than £39,000 over a period of 21 months, should not something be done in the matter, especially in view of the unemployment existing to-day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it is most unjust that a practice which has been carried on by both sides and in all Governments should now, by implication, be put down to some defect on the part of the present Attorney-General.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think he has some special responsibility to bring these salaries more in keeping with Socialist doctrines?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so, and I have always recognised it, but at the same time I have had to recognise the past practice, and, more particularly, the evidence given by Lord Hailsham on this subject.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to put into operation the formula enunciated by the Attorney-General of working for use and not for profit?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo Attorney-General has ever put into practice the first part of that statement more effectively than the present one.