ELECTRICITY COMMISSION (CHAIRMAN). (Hansard, 8 November 1939)

§ 33. Mr. T. Smith
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has appointed a successor to Sir C. W. Hurcomb at the Central Electricity Board, in view of his appointment as Director-General of the Ministry of Shipping?

§ The Minister of Transport (Captain Wallace)
No, Sir. Arrangements have been made under which Sir Cyril Hurcomb will continue to hold his appointment as Chairman of the Electricity Commission on conditions which will leave him free to carry out fully his duties as Director-General of the Ministry of Shipping.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Are we to understand that the duties imposed on this gentleman 202 by the Ministry of Shipping are so light as to warrant him continuing his present job at the Central Electricity Board? Is that the estimate the Government have of the importance of the Ministry of Shipping?

§ Captain Wallace
No, Sir; that would not be the right interpretation of what I said.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give me his interpretation?

§ Captain Wallace
The interpretation is exactly what I said in the answer to the question: Arrangements have been made under which Sir Cyril Hurcomb will continue to hold his appointment as Chairman of the Electricity Commission on conditions which will leave him free to carry out fully his duties as Director-General of the Ministry of Shipping.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Will he then receive a salary as Director-General of the Ministry of Shipping?

§ Captain Wallace
An appropriate adjustment of his salary between the two posts will be made, and the hon. Member must not think that Sir Cyril Hurcomb will receive two salaries for one job.

§ Mr. Ede
Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that the job of being Chairman of the Electricity Commission at the present time demands the full-time duties of this gentleman?

§ Captain Wallace
This course has been taken after consultation with the electricity industry; and I may say that I have consulted at least two prominent Members of the hon. Gentleman's party opposite. We believe that it is in the best interests of the industry to keep Sir Cyril Hurcomb as titular Chairman of the Electricity Commission at the present time.