Oral Answers to Questions — Cabinet Ministers (Salaries).

– in the House of Commons am ar 1 Gorffennaf 1935.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr John Tinker Mr John Tinker , Leigh

34.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to say what the salaries of the Cabinet Ministers, known as Ministers without Portfolio, will be; and can he say the length of time he intends to keep on with these extra Cabinet positions?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

The salaries of the Ministers without Portfolio will be £3,000. These appointments will continue so long as the work of the Government requires them.

Photo of Mr John Tinker Mr John Tinker , Leigh

Is the right hon. Gentleman not of opinion that a matter of this kind should have been discussed with the House first of all, because when an under-secretary is appointed to one of the Ministers without Portfolio a Bill has to be introduced, I understand, and surely if that has to be done in the lesser case the bigger appointment ought to be made in the same way?

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon South

Is it not the case that an Act of Parliament passed about 1919, or two or three years before, authorised the appointment of three Ministers without Portfolio?

Photo of Mr Stanley Baldwin Mr Stanley Baldwin , Bewdley

What my hon. Friend has said is right. With regard to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker), what he said in respect of the appointment of under-secretaries is right. The appointment of Ministers without Portfolio requires no Act.

Photo of Mr David Logan Mr David Logan , Liverpool Scotland

Could not these posts have been filled from the Employment Exchanges?

Photo of Mr John Tinker Mr John Tinker , Leigh

Does the Prime Minister not think that future appointments of this kind might be considered by the House as a whole before they are made?