HC Deb 24 November 1942 vol 385 cc659-60
56. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will alter the regulation whereby servants of the Crown giving a broadcast, which does not form part of their official duties, have paid to them only half the fee that they would normally get for such a broadcast, so as to make it permissible for members of His Majesty's Forces to receive the full fee since, in many cases, they are stationed at some distance from the broadcasting station and incur expenses in excess of those which would be normally incurred by servants of the Crown who are not members of the Armed Forces?

Sir K. Wood

In all cases where a servant of the Crown, whether military or civilian, receives half fee for a broadcast talk, free travelling and subsistence allowances on the appropriate scale are payable from official sources.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that this is really an inter-departmental ruling which has never received the sanction of the House of Commons?

Sir K. Wood

No, it is my responsibility.

Mr. De la Bère

The House of Commons is not responsible for my right hon. Friend's actions.