§ 46. Sir C. CAYZERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will have inquiry made in the case of all Government Departments in which there are two or more senior officials of the same grade performing similar functions, with a view to ascertaining whether the services of one or more of such senior officials could be dispensed with?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Elliot)I do not quite understand the proposal of my hon. Friend. The correlation of numbers of staff and requirements of work is a primary duty of administration which must be, and is, systematically and continuously performed. I see no need for a sporadic inquiry of the kind apparently suggested.
§ Sir C. CAYZERWill the right hon. and gallant Member ask for a return from Government Departments showing the precise nature of the duties which are being performed by higher officials in order to ascertain whether there is any unnecessary duplication?
§ Major ELLIOTNo, Sir. I do not think such a result would be obtained by a return of the nature suggested.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSHas the right hon. and gallant Member sufficient power at present to effect real economies in the reduction of staffs?
§ Major ELLIOTPower in any case comes by pressure from this House on the Treasury.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWould the right hon. and gallant Member like some more pressure?
§ Major ELLIOTInformed pressure of the kind so often exercised by the hon. Member is always welcome.