§ 60. Sir A. Southbyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now announce the names of the regional commissioners and deputy regional commissioners to be appointed in connection with the Civil Defence regional organisation?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe King has been pleased to approve, on the recommendation of the Home Secretary and of the Secretary of State for Scotland, the nomination of the following persons for appointment in case of need as regional commissioners and deputy regional commissioners under the Civil Defence scheme. The nominations will be for a period of three years from 1st April, 1939.
§ Northern Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Sir Arthur Lambert, M.C., with whom the hon. Member for Chesterle-Street (Mr. Lawson) will be associated in a consultative capacity.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Nomination will be deferred until the occurrence of an emergency.
171§ North Eastern Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ The Rt. Hon. Lord Harlech, G.C.M.G.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Sir Charles McGrath.
§ North Western Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Sir Warren Fisher, G.C.B., G.C.V.O.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. J. R. Hobhouse, M.C.
§ North Midland Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Lord Trent.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. H. A. S. Wortley.
§ Midland Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ The Earl of Dudley, M.C.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. S. J. Grey.
§ Eastern Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Sir Will Spens, C.B.E.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Lord Eltisley, K.B.E.
§ Southern Region,
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. Harold Butler, C.B.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. W. M. Goodenough.
§ South Eastern Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ The Rt. Hon. Sir Auckland Geddes, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Viscount Knollys, M.B.E.
§ South Western Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ General Sir Hugh Elles, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., D.S.O.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Peto, C.B.E.
§ London Region.
§ Senior Regional Commissioner.
§ The appointment will be deferred until the occurrence of an emergency.
§ Regional Commissioners.
§ Sir Ernest Gowers, K.C.B., K.B.E. Admiral Sir Edward Evans, K.C.B., D.S.O.
§ Welsh Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ Lord Portal, D.S.O., M.V.O.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ Captain Geoffrey Crawshay.
172§ Scottish Region.
§ Regional Commissioner.
§ The selection will be deferred until the occurrence of an emergency, but the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Western Division of Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston) and my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate, have agreed to collaborate in planning the necessary organisation in Scotland.
§ Deputy Regional Commissioner.
§ The Earl of Airlie, G.C.V.O., M.C.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman say why so many members of another place have been appointed to these positions?
§ Sir J. AndersonThey were not selected for that reason.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the right hon. Gentleman say why they were selected? What were their special qualifications?
§ Sir J. AndersonAll the gentlemen I have named were selected after careful review of their qualifications and experience.
§ Lieut.-Commander AgnewWill the commissioners be paid?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn peace time no question of payment will arise. In the event of war provision will be made for payment except in those cases in which the gentlemen concerned may prefer to serve without pay.
§ Lieut.-Commander AgnewHas the scale of payments been laid down?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe maxima have been authorised.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsAre we to understand that the clerk to the largest county council in Britain is expected to have enough spare time to fulfil these onerous duties?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn time of war he would be fully engaged, and it was thought that he would be best engaged in this occupation.
§ Mr, ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether Sir Ernest Gowers, who is Chairman of the Coal Commission, will be relieved of his present duties?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn time of war, certainly.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill he have any duties before war begins?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo executive responsibilities. All commissioners will be expected to acquaint themselves with the characteristics of their regions, and to do whatever they can to fit themselves for the responsibilities which, in the event of war, they will be called upon to discharge.
§ Sir A. SinclairAs the right hon. Gentleman has said that the scales of salary have been authorised, can he say what those scales are?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think I could say at the moment, but I should prefer to have notice of the question in order that there should be no misunderstanding.