§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N. E.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has information of the number of instances in 1366 which officials of local authorities occupying one well-paid position also fill other paid posts, to the exclusion of suitable persons who are kept unemployed; and whether he can take any step, by the issue of a circular or by legislation, more equitably and efficiently to distribute these branches of public employment.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I cannot state in how many cases officers of local authorities hold more than one paid office. In many instances in which they do so the aggregate of the salaries is not large, and the offices are of a kind which may with advantage be held together; but I agree in thinking that a number of local offices should not be concentrated in the hands of one man where other arrangements can be made, and especially where the combined remuneration is considerable. I do not think that I can intervene in the way suggested in the Question, but I am prepared to act on the view I have stated in cases in which the sanction of the Local Government Board is necessary. Indeed, I have already done so.