HC Deb 22 February 1955 vol 537 cc1068-9
49. Mr. Grimond

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of paragraph 78 of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Organisation of the National Coal Board, he will review the remuneration of the heads of the nationalised industries.

The Prime Minister

The White Paper is an accurate factual summary about the supply of military——

Hon. Members

Wrong answer.

Mr. Speaker

I called Question No. 49.

The Prime Minister

I am sorry. The answer is as follows:

The proposal of the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Organisation of the National Coal Board, that the salaries of full-time members of the Board should be substantially increased, is connected with the Committee's view that some members of the Board's staff should receive £7,500 a year, and is involved with other recommendations in the Report. It will be necessary to learn the views of the National Coal Board as now constituted on all of these recommendations before a decision can be reached. Moreover, such increases could only be decided, as the hon. Gentleman realises, in relation to a review of the remuneration in other nationalised industries.

Mr. Grimond

Does not the Prime Minister agree that while very large salaries are paid in private industry it is unfair that people who run the nationalised industries should be paid very much less for equivalent work? Will he consider either putting up their salaries or—what is perhaps better—bringing his influence to bear upon his friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the tax upon earned income?

The Prime Minister

I think that the procedure I indicated in my reply would be the most advisable one to follow.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the Prime Minister aware that some private industries are really silly and luxurious in the artificially high salaries which they pay? Will he consider the social and moral consequences upon industry if the salaries of chairmen of nationalised industries are put above their existing not unappreciable level?

The Prime Minister

Yes, but I think I should like to hear the views of the reconstituted Coal Board upon this subject.