HC Deb 30 May 1932 vol 266 cc819-20
28. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the members of the Governor-General's Council of the Sudan receive any extra pay or allowance for their duties as members of Council; and, if so, what is the amount of this allowance and when was it first granted?

Mr. EDEN

A committee was appointed in 1927 to investigate all possible means of making the Sudan Service, which suffers under the disadvantage of being self-contained, a sufficiently attractive career. As a result of its recommendations it was decided to increase the pay of certain senior officers in the Service, including members of the Governor-General's Council, the Chief Justice, Heads of Departments and Governors of Provinces. A Provision was consequently introduced that any member of Council other than the four ex officio members should receive a special allowance of £250 per annum. This was first granted in 1928. Four members of Council are now receiving this allowance. The increases granted in 1928, which, it will be seen, were not confined to members of Council, have been to all intents and purposes cancelled by the 10 per cent, cut imposed last January to which my right hon. Friend referred in his reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 9th of May.

Sir A. KNOX

Is it not the case that these cuts amounted to only 7½ per cent on the total salary?

Mr. EDEN

I think it was 10 per cent., and 20 per cent in the case of the voluntary cuts.

Captain PETER MACDONALD

Is there not a representative of the Treasury in Khartum looking into all these matters, especially from the point of view of the taxpayer?

Mr. EDEN

I believe that is so.