76. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury feels assured that a staff of 25,070 is necessary to run the Ministry of Pensions, being an increase of no less than 16,509 in little more than a year; and, if not, is it intended to call on the Ministry of Pensions to effect a reduction of staff before the next financial year?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe staff requirements of the Ministry of Pensions have been very closely scrutinised and I am satisfied that every efforthas been made to improve its organisation and to keep the numbers at the lowest limit consistent with the proper discharge of its functions. I may point out that during the last year the number of persons drawing benefit has almost doubled, and that various institutions and hospitals have been transferred to the management of the Ministry. I am assured that the time is in sight when the volume of work will automatically begin to decline; and care will be taken to secure that the staff is proportionately reduced.