HC Deb 16 June 1932 vol 267 cc513-4
13. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to ensure that no member of a local authority shall be eligible for any salaried appointment under that authority during his term of office as an alderman or councillor of any such body, nor until a period of one year has elapsed from the date on which he ceased to hold such position as alderman or councillor?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)

The suggestion of my hon. Friend will be considered in connection with any general proposals for amending the law of local government. The principle indicated is already operative as regards Poor Law appointments, is followed wherever my approval to other appointments is required and is, I believe, increasingly recognised by local authorities when making appointments not requiring approval. I will send my hon. Friend an extract from a recent annual report of the Ministry which deals with the point.

Mr. DICKIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the county of Durham this jobbery has become something in the nature of a public scandal, and it is openly, freely, and publicly stated that it is not the slightest use applying for an appointment under the local council unless you are a member of the council, or a relative or a friend of a member of the council; and that the miners' lodges in the county are so disgusted—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member seems to be making a speech.

Mr. DICKIE

They are calling for the resignation of the members of the council—

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot have a speech on this occasion. If the hon. Member wishes to ask a supplementary question, no doubt he will receive an answer.

Mr. DICKIE

May I have an answer?

Sir H. YOUNG

I have already stated in reply to the original question, that only Poor Law and certain other appointments need be submitted to me for approval. Otherwise I have no power to intervene.

Mr. DICKIE

My original question was whether the Minister would consider the advisability of introducing legislation.

Mr. SPEAKER

The Minister has no responsibility with regard to these matters.

Mr. COCKS

Is it in order for the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Dickie) to use Question Time to slang public authorities in this way?