HC Deb 08 March 1911 vol 22 cc1186-7
Mr. O'GRADY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision had yet been arrived at as to the recommendation of the committee appointed to inquire into the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy on 2nd January, 1909; whether he was aware that the recommendations of that committee were laid before his Board on 9th November, 1909, and that as a result of the delay in settling the question the entire staff of the Department is in a state of unrest; and whether, in view of the effect of such a state of affairs upon the efficiency of the Department concerned, he can make any statement which would tend to allay the anxiety amongst the staff as to the probable date on which any changes that may take place in the organisation of the Department will be instituted?

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the inquiry into the organisation of the Accountant-General's Department of the Admiralty, which was commenced in May, 1909, has yet been completed; and whether he is yet in a position to make any communication to the House on the subject?

Mr. McKENNA

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject, but I hope to be able to do so before long.

Mr. O'GRADY

asked on what date the recommendations of the committee appointed to inquire into the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy in January, 1909, had been laid before their Lordships of the Treasury; whether any decision had yet been arrived at with regard to such recommendations; and, if not, whether he can furnish any information as to the reasons for the delay in coming to a decision, and the probable date on which the question will be decided?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Correspondence on the subject of the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy has been going on since May last, and is not yet concluded. I am unable to say when a final decision will be arrived at.