Mr. KINGasked whether any estimate has yet been formed of the number or cost of the salaries of the officers, inspectors, referees, and servants contemplated under Section 41 (2) of the National Insurance Bill; if so, can the figures be stated; and whether these officials will be appointed by patronage or in the recognised manner of examination and open competition?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIt would not be possible to frame an estimate at the present stage. Appointments can only be made in accordance with the Orders in Council relating to the Civil Service. It would be impossible to say at the present time to what extent it may be necessary to use the power of wholly or partly dispensing with an examination. I may add that it will, of course, be necessary to obtain the services of medical and insurance experts.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERHow has the right hon. Gentleman calculated the cost, if he has formed no estimate of the cost of the machinery for carrying out the Bill?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThis is only the case of officers and inspectors, and after all the cost of that is so very small a proportion of the total that really it does not count in the matter of the final result. We have got a rough estimate, but it would be quite impossible until the Bill goes through to know exactly the number of officers required, as we do not know what Amendments the House may make.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to give the rough estimate when we go into Committee?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGECertainly.