HC Deb 18 October 1939 vol 352 cc862-4
34. Mr. Lyons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information how many officers, excluding clerical staff, in regional offices resigned before notice of cessation of these places was given; and the reasons tendered for such resignations, respectively?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Sir Edward Grigg)

One regional officer so resigned. The reasons he gave were that he considered that the regional offices could achieve very little; that local committees were quite unnecessary; and that the staff was, in any event, in excess of requirements.

Mr. Lyons

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House, which regional officer tendered his resignation for the reasons expressed?

Sir E. Grigg

I regret that I have not the information with me, but I would make it clear that I associate myself with the reasons given.

Mr. Lyons

Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information get from the Ministry of Information the information for which I have asked?

Sir E. Grigg

I assure the hon. and learned Member that I will get it for him.

35. Mr. Lyons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information by whom and by what means of selection were employes of the British Council appointed to his Department; how many members of the Food Department were appointed to the Ministry of Information and at what salaries and differences; and what were their qualifications?

Sir E. Grigg

For the first part of the question I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the detailed answer which I gave him on 27th September. In regard to the second and third parts, one member of the staff of the Food Depart- ment was transferred to the News Division of the Ministry of Information, at his existing salary on the scale £550£650, to deal with the issue of news and inquiries from the Press relating to the work of the Food Department. He has now reverted to that Department under the reorganisation recently announced.

Mr. Lyons

Was that unnecessary employment at the cost of the Food Department, or was this a case of one of the 999 people who were to be paid for under the new Department—the Ministry of Information? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] Is that question unanswerable?

36. Sir J. Graham Kerr

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information in view of the important part played in modern warfare by science and in view of the importance of accuracy in public information regarding such matters, how many of the 190 members of the staff of the Ministry, of which particulars have recently made public, are university graduates in science?

Sir E. Grigg

The information is not available and could only be obtained at an expense of time which I should not feel justified in giving to the inquiry. My hon. Friend will appreciate that scientific advice can be obtained whenever necessary from a large range of experts in Government service and outside it, and that it is therefore unnecessary to add on that account to the establishment costs of the Ministry.

Mr. De la Bere

Who was responsible for the absolute absurdity of the staff appointments to the Ministry of Information?

37. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether members of the staff of the Ministry in receipt of salary are required to devote whole-time service to the Department and to refrain from party political activities?

Sir E. Grigg

Except for two journalists and two translators engaged and paid on a part-time basis, members of the staff of the Ministry in receipt of salary are required to devote whole-time service to the Department. The Ministry, like other Government Departments, expects officers of all ranks to refrain from engaging in party political activities.

Colonel A. Evans

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that it would be better to get on with the job and to hold these inquests in private?