§ MR. A. SPICER (Monmouth Boroughs)I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Thirsk Division, as a Charity Commissioner, whether the work in connection with the Charity Commissioners' Office, especially in relation to the schemes, is in arrear, and whether the delay arises because of the insufficient staff at the office; and, if so, what steps it is proposed shall be taken in order to increase the staff?
THE PARLIAMENTARY CHARITY COMMISSIONER (Mr. GRANT LAWSON,) York, N.R., ThirskThe work of drafting orders and other formal documents in the 747 office of the Charity Commissioners has of late fallen into arrear, in consequence partly of the general increase of the business of the office, and partly of the special pressure of work arising under the Local Government Act 1894. The Charity Commissioners have accordingly applied for the sanction of the Treasury for a permanent increase of staff, and pending the consideration of this application they have sought and obtained from the Treasury permission to procure temporary assistance in the work of drafting, with the result that the arrears in question are steadily decreasing. ["Hear, hear!"]