HC Deb 24 July 1968 vol 769 cc547-8
32. Mr. Clegg

asked the Minister of Transport why the Deputy Chairman of British Railways has a higher salary than the Chairman, and to what extent it is his policy that the Financial Director should also have a higher salary than the Chairman.

Mr. Marsh

Remuneration broadly similar to that received in his former employment is paid on a personal basis to one of the two Vice Chairmen of the Railways Board. This does not prejudice any future decisions about the salaries of present or future Board members that may result from the recent reference to the National Board for Prices and Incomes of remuneration at the highest levels in the private sector and the nationalised industries.

Mr. Clegg

Is not the present position quite topsy-turvy? On this basis should not the Minister exchange salaries with his Minister of State?

Mr. Marsh

That is a course which had not previously occurred to me and one which I have no intention of pursuing. I think that it is recognised that the salaries of those in nationalised industries need to be reviewed and they are being reviewed. I do not think that this is an issue between the two sides of the House or that the blame lies solely on one side. I think that it is pretty fairly shared. It is important to get the best people that one can get to run industries of this size.