48. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether the taxpayers' demand that the number of Departments and of highly paid officials to run them should be drastically reduced has been brought to his notice; whether he is aware that economy can best be effected, not by reducing the number of clerks and typewriters or other subordinates, but by dismissing the highly paid heads of redundant Government Departments; and what action he is taking to save the taxpayers' money in this respect?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government is fully aware of the necessity of effecting economies in every possible direction, and the question of reducing the number of officials, whether lowly or highly paid, has received, and will continue to receive, close attention.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe are having the result already, and a very good result.
49. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a Return showing the number of officials with salaries and emoluments amounting to £2,000 per annum and upwards at present employed in Government Departments that are included in the Civil Service Estimates; and a Return giving the number of officials drawing salaries of £1,000 per annum and upwards who were employed in Government Departments included in the Civil Service Estimates in the financial year 1914–15?
§ Mr. BALDWINSteps will be taken to compile the figures requested. They will be furnished to the hon. and gallant Member in due course, and circulated in the
OFFICIAL REPORT.