I move that the Bill do now pass.
Control of Imports Orders—Motions of Approval. - Control of Prices (No. 2 Bill, 1937)—Fifth Stage.
Under the original Act I think the Minister has power to appoint officials to the Prices Commission. Has he taken similar powers under this Bill?
In so far as the Bill is concerned the wording is the same. There is, in fact, appointed to the commission a staff of civil servants. The commission is given whatever staff is necessary to carry on the work and they are civil servants transferred from other Departments. There is no appointment of officials from outside the service. I do not know if that is what the Deputy has in mind.
I think there was provision in the original Act empowering the Minister to set apart officials, if he liked, for this purpose. I doubt if there is such a provision in the present Bill. As I am not sure, I should like the Minister to look it up. He says he can appoint officials, but I was wondering under what power. I would like him to say if there is a difference between the two Bills. As I heard some one raised the point, I am putting it before the Minister.
All that part of the Act which deals with the Prices Commission and the controller of prices is the same as in the original Act with certain changes. The size of the commission is reduced and certain requirements which have to be kept in mind are removed. There are one or two minor changes. There was a provision that the controller should act as secretary and that is deleted. Otherwise, they are the same. In any event, I suppose the Money Resolution gives authority to appoint whatever staff is required to implement the Bill.
I put it hypothetically that there was a provision in the original Act giving the Minister power of that kind, and I presume it was necessary. I suggest that in the original Act power was given to the Minister to appoint staff to the commission.
I do not think so. The Deputy may be mixing up what he has in mind with another matter. Power was taken, of course, to appoint the commission, and to appoint additional members as the occasion arose. That power is still being retained. Power was taken to appoint the controller, and to give the controller whatever inspectorate staff he might require. That is being maintained here. In addition to the inspectorate staff, there are various civil servants attached to the Prices Commission whose salaries are provided in the Vote for the Department for Industry and Commerce.
Question put and agreed to.