§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Lord McDonald was appointed chairman of the Committee of Investigation for Scotland; at what salary and expenses ; what meetings have been held since Lord McDonald was appointed chairman ; how many he has attended ; what has been the total cost of all matters pertaining to this Committee ; and whether he will make a statement on its activities to date.
§ Mr. Hugh D. Brown:Lord McDonald—then R. H. McDonald, Esq., MC, QC, MA, L1B—was appointed chairman of the Committee on 23rd March 1960. The appointment carries no salary, but a fee—currently £44 per day—is payable on any occasion that meetings may be held, in addition to normal expenses for travelling and subsistence. There have been 683W no meetings of the committee since the appointment, and consequently no costs have been incurred. Although the committee has never had to meet, its continued existence as a statutory safeguard of the public interest is required by the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958.