§ 59 and 60. Mr. Lyonsasked the Home Secretary (1) whether each Civil Defence commissioner has been fully established, and with what staff, and from what date, respectively; the dates from which salaries become payable, and at what present rate both for commissioners and deputies;
(2) whether all Civil Defence commissioners and deputies are now, and since when, employed whole-time in their appointments; and whether any other paid office or appointment has been or will be open to them while carrying out the salaried work of their offices?
§ Sir J. AndersonRegional commissioners and deputy commissioners were instructed on 25th August to take up duty at their headquarters and they have since been employed whole-time on this duty. The salaries of commissioners are payable from the date of their appointment by Royal Warrant. All but four of the appointments were made on 31st August: and the other four, which were delayed pending the passing of the Regional Commissioners Act, were made on 2nd September. As regards the rates of salary payable, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Shettles-ton Division (Mr. McGovern) on 26th September. Regional commissioners are not legally debarred from holding any other appointment, but I am satisfied that no commissioner has been appointed who is not in a position to discharge his duties fully. The staffs at Regional Headquarters consist of the regional staffs of the Air-raid Precautions Department, a number of officers seconded from various Government Departments who took up duly as soon as practicable after 25th August, and a limited number of additional staff especially appointed for war duties.
§ Mr. LyonsWill the right hon. Gentleman publish or circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all the persons employed 506 in regional offices everywhere in the country, showing the salaries they are getting; and, further, does he not think that officers of the nature such as a regional commissioner should cease to be concerned with any other matter of private or commercial employment whatever? Further, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is absolutely impossible—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member seems to be debating the question.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.