HC Deb 12 October 1939 vol 352 cc505-6
59 and 60. Mr. Lyons

asked 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. Anderson

Regional 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. Lyons

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish or circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all the persons employed 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. Speaker

The hon. Member seems to be debating the question.

Mr. Lyons

May I ask this further question—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Lyons

In 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.