HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc200-1
29. Mr. Buchanan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Sir James Lithgow has given up all his directorships in shipbuilding, steel, engineering and banking companies; and, if not, which directorships does he still retain?

Mr. Churchill

I invited Sir James Lithgow to undertake the task of securing us the maximum output of merchant shipbuilding, which is clearly a matter affecting our life and success in war. I am sure that this is the best arrangement that could be made, as in addition to his far-reaching connections with every aspect of merchant shipbuilding, he filled a place in this same Department during the late war with conspicuous success. I proposed that he should receive a salary equal to that of the Controller of the Navy, but he has wished to give his services without remuneration. He has also resigned his position upon the Board of National Shipbuilders' Security, Limited, and has obtained leave of absence, with two exceptions, from the boards of all other companies of which he is either chairman or director.

Sir James is retaining the chairmanship of William Beardmore and Company, Limited, without remuneration. It was thought desirable, in the national interest, that he should do so in view of the importance of this firm to the defence programme. Sir James is also retaining, without remuneration, a directorship of Richard Thomas, on the board of which it is desirable that he should continue to represent the steel industry. In case in his official capacity he should have to place orders with firms in which he has been interested or with which he is still connected, he has requested that the contracts concerned shall be dealt with by another member of the Board of Admiralty. I think we owe a debt to him for coming forward to shoulder this most difficult and anxious task, and we shall owe him a very much greater debt when we get the ships, as I am pretty sure we shall.

Mr. Kirkwood

Seeing that Sir James Lithgow is not going to derive any salary from the position he occupies with regard to shipping, is not going to draw any salary from Beardmore's and is not going to draw any salary from Richard Thomas, will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House where he will get any salary from?

Mr. Churchill

I presume that he will have to live on his savings, like quite a number of people do.

Mr. Kirkwood

Arising from that, can they be required to go on the means test?