§ 20. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds a service agreement was signed giving a guarantee of employment or compensation for a long period between Overseas Airways Corporation and an employee, whose name has been given to the Ministry; why the agreement was pre-dated; and whether a pension is provided for in the agreement and on what terms?
§ Sir A. SinclairAs my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary informed the hon. Member on 16th December last, the British Overseas Airways Corporation is responsible for its own internal administration, in accordance with the original intention of Parliament in the 1939 Act. I cannot, therefore, provide the information asked for.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes the Minister tell the House that he has no interest in a matter which may involve public funds? Is he aware that in this case there has been a considerable amount of sharp practice, and that a man who is very likely to lose his job has been guaranteed compensation in such a case?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir; I am not saying that. I am saying that the Corporation either can be left to manage its own affairs or can be run from Whitehall. Parliament decided that it was to be left with the responsibility for its own management.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not the case that since that Act was passed the Emergency Powers Act has been passed, which gives the Minister power to interfere with all sorts of persons?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir; but the intention of Parliament was that this Corporation should be responsible for the management of its own affairs.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsThe Emergency Powers Act alters all that.
§ Sir A. SinclairIt gives me the power to alter that, but I am respectful to the wishes of Parliament.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsIn view of the Minister's indifference to this matter, and of his indifference to the misuse of public funds, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.