Area Boards (Salaries)

HC Deb 22 January 1958 vol 580 cc1043-4

32. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the information contained in Command Paper No. 332, he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission to make available to hon. Members information showing the salaries and allowances paid to the chairman and members of the several regional railway boards.

Mr. Watkinson

No, Sir.

Mr. Jones

Why does the right hon. Gentleman insist upon keeping these members of the railway boards wrapped up in the cotton wool of secrecy when the Government themselves have revealed to everybody who cares to purchase a copy of Cmd. 332 the salaries paid to part-time members of the electricity boards, the gas boards, the Atomic Energy Authority and the British Transport Commission? Why does not he provide the same facilities in order that we can see whether the members of the railway boards are paid and whether they have had their salaries doubled, as have the members of the British Transport Commission?

Mr. Watkinson

The House decided—and it was a decision of the House—that the area boards were to be appointed by the Chairman of the British Transport Commission. They are not my appointments. In my view, therefore, it would be quite inappropriate for me to deal with their salaries.

Mr. Strauss

In view of the fact that the area boards are very important organisaions and have a locus not entirely dissimilar from that of some of the regional boards in other nationalised industries, will the Minister tell us by what arrangement or device hon. Members who wish to do so can find out what salaries are paid to the chairmen and vice-chairmen? Can they put a Question to the Minister? If not, how can this information be made available to hon. Members who want to know?

Mr. Watkinson

As I said, the decision was a decision of the House and it was that these boards should be appointed by the Commission and not by me. In the Commission's current annual accounts, page 23 of volume II, the total amount paid to the members of the area boards is clearly set down as £19,803. That is as far as I think it proper to go.

Mr. Jones

On a point of order. In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's attitude on this Question, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.