HC Deb 17 January 1918 vol 101 cc481-2
28. Mr. WHITEHOUSE

asked the Home Secretary whether he is responsible for the preparation and preservation of the lists of recipients of the newly instituted Order of the British Empire; what expense falls upon the Treasury in this connection, including the cost of the insignia of the Order; whether any contribution is received towards the expense of the insignia by the recipient of the Order; and what is the total number of persons to date who have received the Order?

Sir G. CAVE

The list of those whom it is proposed to appoint to the Order is submitted to the King by the Prime Minister, who is assisted in the preparation of the list by the Home Secretary. The Lord Chamberlain is responsible for all matters relating to the Order after the appointments have actually been made. It is not possible at present to answer the second part of the question, but I may say that the expenses will be inconsiderable. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. The number of persons appointed to all classes of the Order is 2,597.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to state when he hopes to be able to give an estimate of the expense which falls upon the Treasury on account of these appointments?

Sir G. CAVE

I will endeavour to get the figures shortly, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a question in a fortnight's time.

Mr. KING

Will this expenditure be placed on any Estimate for the year?

Sir G. CAVE

I suppose they will appear somewhere.

General M'CALMONT

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman's answer includes Ireland or are the names from Ireland submitted separately?

Sir G. CAVE

I think there is a separate list of names for Ireland.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Will the right hon. Gentleman state, in connection with the arrangements for the preparation of these lists, whether he receives the applications direct from the persons who wish the Order or from others on their behalf?

Mr. HOGGE

Is there any truth in the rumour that they may be got by application through the Labour Exchanges?

Sir G. CAVE

The lists are submitted by the different Departments to which the services of these people are best known and are collected by the Home Office from those lists.