§ 7.12 p.m.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Burma (Mr. Arthur Henderson)I beg to move,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty in pursuance of the provisions of Section 157 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, praying that the Government of Burma (Governor's Leave and Travelling Allowances) Order, 1946, be made in the form of the draft laid before Parliament.The object of this Motion is to provide that the Governor of Burma, when he returns to this country on official duties, shall continue to receive his official salary. Under the Order that operates at the moment, and which was made in 1936, he 1294 receives a sum which is less than half of what he receives as his official salary. It is considered that he should not suffer in those circumstances. The position was considered in connection with the Governor-General of India who, similarly, up to 1944, in the event of his returning to this country on official duty, suffered a considerable loss. The effect of this Order will be to put the Governor of Burma on the same footing as the Governor-General of India, and will ensure that when he returns to this country on official duties, he will continue to receive his official salary.
§ Earl Winterton (Horsham)This seems to me to be a reasonable Order, and I only regret that it was not possible to pass it before. May I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is retroactive? The present Governor would have come under the Order if it had been passed before.
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir. It applies as from 1st June of this year and will cover the present case.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—[Mr. Collindridge.]
§ Mr. HendersonMay I explain to the House that this is the procedure which is adopted because this Address has to be moved in another place, and in order to avoid complications in the event of an Amendment being made in another place, it is technically convenient to move that the Debate be adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Monday next.