asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what moneys Mr. Sylvester, the Chairman of the Gas Council, will receive from the nationalised gas industry in addition to his salary already announced.

The allowances payable under Clause 5 (6) of the Gas Bill have not yet been determined.

In view of the fact that Mr. Sylvester will be receiving a pension of £3,500 from the gas industry, whether nationalised or not, in addition to his salary of £6,000, should not his salary be reduced by a corresponding amount, as otherwise it will total £9,500, and thus be in excess of that of the chairmen of all the other nationalised boards?

Private arrangements regarding the incomes of individuals are not my concern. I am simply concerned with paying the rate for the job.

As Mr. Sylvester's pension is coming out of the industry should it not have been taken into account?

Are we to understand that the gas industry is of less importance than the electricity industry?

No, Sir. The job is not the same as the job of the Chairman of the British Electricity Authority.