HC Deb 03 July 1918 vol 107 cc1712-3
50. Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the number of persons now employed by the Government Departments cannot be considered excessive, which appears in the introductory note to the Return on Civil Staff employed by Government Departments presented by the Ministry of National Service on 19th June; whether this statement is based on any conclusions reached by the Treasury Committee on Staffs; if not, whether it is the result of any examination made by the Ministry of National Service or by any other authority; and whether it represents the considered opinion of the Government on the matter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My attention has been called to the statement referred to by my right hon. Friend, which represents the opinion of the Ministry of National Service as the result of inquiries instituted by that Department independently of those which are being conducted by the Treasury Committee on Staffs.

Mr. SAMUEL

Has there been any special inquiry by this Department, and, if so, is it not inconvenient that two Departments should inquire at the same time?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have not looked closely into this matter, but I think this inquiry was from the point of view of the man-power of the country.