'Normal' London contract for Mr Watt

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 3

'Normal' London contract for Mr Watt

(A'.Z. Press Association) I WELLINGTON, April 15. The former Deputy I Prime Minister (Mr Watt) was appointed High Commissioner in London under the normal contract which applied to all such appointments, the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) said today. I Replying to a Parliaj mentary question by the I Leader of the Opposition he said that no special conditions were attached to the appointments. Mr Muldoon quoted ’ from a “London Evening News” report that Mr Watt said, when asked about his appointment in the light of a possible change in Government: . . If there was an upset I don’t think they could move me. I’ve got a threeyear contract.”

Mr Muldoon asked the Prime Minister to disclose the nature of the contract. Mr Watt’s terms of appointment were those contained in a standard document under the Foreign Affairs Act, 1953, and he had been appointed for a term “not exceeding three years,” said Mr Rowling.

Asked whether he would consider Mr Watt an acceptable representative of a National Government overseas, Mr Rowling said that situation Would not arise.

Asked about Mr Watt’s salary, the Prime Minister said it was fixed by the Higher Salaries Commission at grade 23 executive occupational class, with appropriate allowances. He was unable to give the figure in cash, Mr Rowling said.