§ 52. Mr. Bellengerasked the Lord Privy Seal what will be the position in time of war of those regional civil defence commissioners now occupied in directing private business or similar undertakings?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn time of war regional commissioners would be engaged full-time on their official duties.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of the fact that these civil commissioners will be paid Government servants, are we to understand that the same rules will apply to them as apply to Cabinet Ministers, 1308 namely, that they surrender their directorships in any private business undertakings?
§ Sir J. AndersonI do not think that arises out of the question.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of the fact that these gentlemen will be holding very important Government appointments, will they divest themselves of all business responsibilities which they now have?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think the same practice will be followed as was followed in the last War, and I would point out that these gentlemen, although their duties will be very onerous and responsible, will not be primarily concerned with policy.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the very great authority which these gentlemen will exercise in many ways, is it not essential in the national interest that they should be free from any commercial interests of any kind?
§ Mr. SandysIs it not a fact that in the event of the districts for which they are responsible being separated from the central Government they will exercise all the functions of government?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir, all the executive functions.
§ 53. Mr. Bellengerasked the Lord Privy Seal the duties to be assigned to the regional civil defence commissioners in time of war?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, to a question by the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Garro Jones) on 7th February.
§ Mr. BellengerWhat was the guiding principle which induced the right hon. Gentleman to make these appointments? Was any attention paid to the elective principle, in view of the administrative authority which these gentlemen may have to exercise?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo attention was paid to the elective principle. We proceeded with the sole object of securing those persons who seemed to us to possess in the highest degree the qualifications necessary for their very responsible position.
§ Mr. ManderHow many of these commissioners will be receiving the maximum sum of £2,500 a year?
§ Sir J. AndersonI cannot say at all. There have been no negotiations.