asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will state the names of those members of the Boards of B.O.A.C., B.E.A.C. and B.S.A.A.C. who had contracts with the Boards in respect of executive positions held, the length of such contracts and the amounts payable thereunder in each instance.

Apart from the chairmen, the following members of the three Corporations are employed on a full-time basis otherwise than as members:

• British Overseas Airways Corporation—
• Major J. R. McCrindle, O.B.E., M.C.
• British European Airways Corporation—
• Mr. Gerard d'Erlanger, C.B.E., A.C.A.
• British South American Airways Corporation—Air Vice-Marshal D. C. T. Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.

My noble Friend has no statutory responsibility for the contracts and remuneration attaching to executive posts held by members of the Corporations, but in such cases he has determined, with the consent of the Treasury, that there should be no remuneration in respect of the office of member of the board.

Does my hon. Friend mean to say that he cannot give information of the salaries which these members of the boards are receiving as executives of the Corporations?

That is so, Sir. It is purely a matter of management, and my noble Friend has no authority, statutory or otherwise, in regard to general matters of management. The payment of salaries to executives is entirely a matter of management.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean that his noble Friend does not know, or that his noble Friend does know but will not say?

I mean what I say. My noble Friend does not know.