asked the Home Secretary whether the appointment of Councillor Manning, a member of the Camberwell Borough Council, to the post of controller of air-raid precautions in the borough of Camberwell at a salary of £ 750, tax free, has been approved by his Department; and whether a grant will be made in respect of the salary of this appointment?

Appointments to the office of controller are notified to my Department but are not subject to my approval. No salaries have been authorised for these appointments, and I have informed the Camberwell Borough Council that the salary which they are paying to the controller will not rank for Government grant.

Then I understand the ratepayers of Camberwell have to pay for the privilege of having as one of their councillors a paid official of A.R.P.?