Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 25 Tachwedd 1958.
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
12:00,
25 Tachwedd 1958
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer on what date he recently appointed the British Economic Minister in Washington; on what date this Minister takes office; and whether he will give the name and qualifications of the person appointed.
Mr. Amory:
As announced on 27th October. Lord Cromer will take up this office and that of United Kingdom Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund and of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in January, 1959. Lord Cromer is at present Managing Director of Baring Bros and Co., Ltd., merchant bankers.
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
I thank the Chancellor for that reply, but does not he think it is rather unfair for the noble Lord to continue in private business right up until January—doing business with a firm which, in turn, does business and has financial deals with America, when the noble Lord will take over the job of Economic Minister in America? Should not the noble Lord cease his activities here, or at least wait until he takes up his appointment?
Mr. Amory:
No—and I am certain that Lord Cromer's day-to-day duties will not conflict in any way with the duties that he will perform when he takes up his appointment as Economic Minister. Lord Cromer is not being paid until he takes up his appointment.
Sir Arthur Harvey
, Macclesfield
Is it not unfortunate that a brilliant man, who sacrificed two years of his career in his early forties to help his country, should be attacked in this way by the hon. Member opposite?
Mr Arthur Lewis
, West Ham North
On a point of order. You will recollect, Mr. Speaker, that in my supplementary question I made no attack upon any individual. Am I not in order in asking the Chancellor whether he thinks it would be better if a certain procedure were adopted? Is that an attack upon an individual?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
No question of order arises from that.
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