HC Deb 18 March 1941 vol 370 cc22-3
45. Mr. Mander

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give complete information with reference to the Members of both Houses of Parliament given in Part II of Cmd. Paper 6255 as assisting the Government in a civil capacity, both as regard salary, expenses, allowances, or any other form of remuneration, distinguishing between the ordinary emoluments of the post and the emoluments actually drawn?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)

In reply to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 4th March, my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary gave complete information on these lines in respect of all salaried civil posts remunerated from United Kingdom funds. If my hon. Friend desires such information in respect of any particular posts not included in that answer, I would suggest that he make inquiries of the Department concerned.

Mr. Mander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was afterwards disclosed that a number of Members who were put down in the original list as honorary appointments were receiving considerable sums, quite properly, by way of expenses; and is he aware that I am now asking that full information should be given with regard to all the Members mentioned in the second part of the White Paper, and not simply a selection, as has been done at the present time?

Sir K. Wood

That point will be carefully considered. I suggest to my hon. Friend that if there is any case which he has in mind, he should let me know.

Mr. Mander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I want information with regard to all of them? Would he be good enough to give to the House of Commons information which they are entitled to have with regard to all the expenses and salaries that Members are receiving?

Sir Irving Albery

Does my right hon. Friend recognise the difference between ordinary expenses and consolidated expenses, which consist of a definite sum paid annually or at some other period?

Sir K. Wood

That is another matter. If my hon. Friend wishes, I will consider the matter again, but I would say that I have not heard from anybody else on the matter except from my hon. Friend.

Mr. Wedgwood

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of expenses no Income Tax is paid, but that in the case of salaries a very heavy Income Tax is paid, and, therefore, it is more important to know what expenses are paid than salaries?

Mr. G. Strauss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we were discussing the Bill in Committee the Lord Privy Seal said that he would give sympathetic consideration to the publication, in respect of all future appointments, at the time of the appointment or subsequently in a White Paper, of the remuneration and expenses attaching to the post? The record would be incomplete unless it included those appointed in the past.

Sir K. Wood

I shall see what can be done in the matter.

49. Mr. Stokes

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the right hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) is at present drawing a salary as a Member of Parliament?