HC Deb 24 March 1953 vol 513 c648
46. Miss Ward

asked the Prime Minister, as the result of the proposed amalgamation between the Ministry of National Insurance and the Ministry of Pensions, what are to be the salaries of the Ministers in charge of the new united Department.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

These salaries are governed by statute. They will be the same as those payable to the Ministers of the present Ministry of National Insurance— £5,000 to the Minister, subject to temporary abatement, and £1,500 to the Parliamentary Secretaries.

Miss Ward

In this new amalgamation will the Department be regarded as a major Department or a minor Department? There are two categories, and it is quite important, for a variety of reasons, to know in which category the new Department will fall.

The Prime Minister

I should like to see that Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the first £1,000 will not be free of tax?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member seems to be seeking to trespass on other topics not immediately before the House.