§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury in how many cases during the last ten years have inquiries been made into the numbers and organisation of public departments under the powers given by Clause 16 of the Order in Council of 15th August, 1890, and what are the names of the departments so inquired into; and, if no such inquiry has been made, is it to be understood that the clause in question is now inoperative.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Inquiries, both by means of Inter-departmental Committees and otherwise, are constantly being made into the pay and numbers of the various departments of the State; but, so far as I am aware, there have not been any during the last ten years which have been expressly, authorised under the clause referred to.
592 to the civil clerks at the War Office who are in receipt of salaries above £350 a year.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The annual leave granted to War Office clerks in receipt of salaries exceeding £350 a year is as follows—