HC Deb 16 November 1931 vol 259 cc502-3
48. Mr. McENTEE

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the Lord Privy Seal shall continue in office without a seat in Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer is in the negative.

49. Mr. BATEY

asked the Prime Minister what are to be the duties of the Lord Privy Seal; and who will represent him in this House?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Lord Privy Seal is a Member of the Cabinet. He has no purely Departmental duties, and it will not therefore be necessary for him to be represented in this House.

Mr. BATEY

Do we understand that the Lord Privy Seal is mot to be engaged in finding employment for unemployed men?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is no part of the office of the Lord Privy Seal. The office is a sinecure, and, as in the case of every sinecure, the Minister is used for special work, sometimes in connection with the unemployed, sometimes on other things.

Mr. McENTEE

Wireless.

The PRIME MINISTER

Sometimes, when it can be used effectively.

Mr. BATEY

Do we understand that the Government have decided to abolish all attempts to find employment for the unemployed?

The PRIME MINISTER

Exactly the opposite.

Mr. BATEY

Will the Prime Minister tell us which Ministers are responsible for unemployment now?

52. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Prime Minister at what figure it is proposed to continue the salary of the Lord Privy Seal; and to whom any questions may be addressed affecting his duties?

The PRIME MINISTER

Salary will be paid to the Lord Privy Seal at the rate of £2,000 a year less the reduction decided upon in accordance with the Economy proposals of the late Government. Questions relating to the duties of the office should be addressed to me.

Mr. McENTEE

Is it good policy and economic policy to pay a salary for what the Prime Minister has just described as a sinecure?

The PRIME MINISTER

I want to be quite clear about that. I said it was a sinecure as an office but the holder of the office has always plenty of work of a special character assigned to him.

Several HON. MEMBERS

rose—

Mr. BATEY

On a point of Order. Seeing that the Prime Minister was allowed to answer that supplementary question, would we not be in order in carrying the matter further?

Mr. SPEAKER

Not at present. There have already been many supplementaries to this question.