§ 46. Mr. Emeryasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that no chamber of commerce has invited the Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department to visit or address it; that the principal functions of the Department, of assisting exporters in their difficulties, are now performed by the Export Council and export groups; and will he, as a war economy, merge the Overseas Trade Department into the Board of Trade and suspend the Ministerial appointment as temporarily superfluous?
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 17th July to the Question he addressed to my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department and the answer which I gave on 11th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWill the statement give the names of Members who are still drawing their Parliamentary salary?
§ The Prime MinisterSo far as the Government are concerned, I should have no objection, but I think it has always been the practice that whether or not a Member draws his Parliamentary salary is entirely a matter for him, and I should have to ascertain what was the opinion of the House before making any departure.
§ Following is the statement: