47. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of those gentlemen appointed since 1916 to represent His Majesty's Government on the Board of the Suez Canal Company; and the professional or other qualifications which caused the Treasury to select them?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)The names are as follow: Sir Ian Malcolm, Lord Downham, Sir J. T. Davies, Lord Cromer, Lord Hankey, Sir Ronald Graham, Mr. N. E. Young. Their qualifications consisted in previous administrative or business experience in various capacities.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware that these unqualified political appointments ought never to have been made? Can we have some assurance that no continuation of this practice will ever be considered?
§ Sir K. WoodThat is a matter, of course, for the Prime Minister.