23. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the conditions of appointment of Sir Nutcombe Hume as Chairman of the Colonial Development Corporation.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSir Nutcombe Hume accepted appointment for a period 363 of one year from 1st April, 1959. The appointment, as for some years past, is part-time. It carries a salary of £5,250.
Mrs. Whiteis the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that a person who holds 15 chairmanships in private companies, one managing directorship, eight ordinary directorships, and who is also chairman of the National Film Finance Corporation, will be able to give sufficient time and attention to the Colonial Development Corporation to justify the salary paid? Is not this a sign that the Government are giving up their own interests in the Colonial Development Corporation?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSir Nutcombe Hume has occupied an important position on the board for a long time, to the universal gratitude of all concerned. The fact that Sir Nutcombe's services are in demand by other people does not seem to me to be a reason why the Government should not be able to enjoy them, too.