HC Deb 17 December 1942 vol 385 cc2068-9
65. Mr. Astor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make a statement regarding the fees paid to serving officers and men for broadcasting?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The existing rules as to, the fees paid for broadcasting apply to all Crown servants, both civilians and members of the Fighting Forces, whereas the Question which my hon. Friend has asked refers to serving officers and men alone. I have great sympathy with the view that the member of the Fighting Forces who gives an occasional broadcast or so describing his own experiences on active service ought to be allowed to receive the appropriate fee in full. I have, therefore, reconsidered this matter with the object of devising an arrangement which will allow the whole of the fees for broadcasts of this kind to be retained, while maintaining safeguards against what I think would be an undoubted objection if civil servants or Service personnel were allowed to earn substantial supplements to their official emoluments by retaining the whole of the fees for a regular course of broadcasts on matters with which they are connected in their official as well as their private capacity.

I have, therefore, decided, after consultation with the Minister of Information, that in the type of case in which the 50 per cent. rule at present applies all Crown Servants should in future be allowed to draw the full fees up to a maximum of £50 per annum, but that in respect of any fees in excess of £50 a year the 50 per cent. arrangement should operate. I am advised that this will mean in practice that the occasional broadcasts given by members of the Fighting Forces on their experience in action will earn the full fees.

Mr. Astor

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his generous concession, which effectively covers the case?

Mr. Stephen

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some arrangements with regard to the fees paid to Members of the Government and Members of the House for broadcasting?

Mr. McNeil

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this concession also extends to members of the Forces who provide the script for broadcasting but do not do the actual broadcasting?

Sir K. Wood

I will look into that.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I raised this question originally?