HC Deb 23 July 1918 vol 108 cc1635-6
49. Mr. CHARLES ROBERTS

asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministerial changes announced last week involve the addition of a new Minister to the total number of Ministers in the Government; and what is now the total number of Ministers composing the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part 91, which includes appointments in the Royal Household which are always made when a Government is formed.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that out of those ninety-one Gentlemen no fewer than sixty-seven are Members of the House of Commons—10 per cent. There has been nothing like it for a long time.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not know the exact number. Perhaps the hon. Member is not aware that even before the War the number of members of the Government appointed in the same way was upwards of sixty. As regards the last part of the question, I have a better opinion of the House of Commons and their competence than the hon. Member.

Mr. MacNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the habit of increasing Ministers has grown despite the War in an almost extreme proportion to the necessity, and is he aware that in Lord Salisbury's last Ministry there were only forty-four members, including the large contingent of the Cecil and Ceciloid family?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Before the War there was a tendency to increase, and pressure has nearly always come from the House of Commons.

Mr. PRINGLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many members, in addition to the sixty-seven members of the Government, are drawing subsistence allowance from the Government?

Mr. FLAVIN

Will the Government consider the advisability of increasing the present number of the Ministry?

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