57. Captain TUDOR-REESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of forming Economy Committees, similar to those set up for other Departments, for the War Office and the Ministry of Transport?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have reserved for later consideration the question of extending these inquiries to other Departments, and I do not at present propose to suggest committees for either the War Office or the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry of Transport being a new Ministry, the whole of its staff has been quite recently under review by the Treasury. In the case of the War Office, the staff has been reduced from 18,324 at the Armistice to 6,764 on 1st June last, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War expects to make further reductions before long. But as with the Navy, so with the Army, extra work continues long after hostilities have ceased. To give only one instance, I am informed that the correspondence with the public is six times as heavy as before the War.
§ Captain W. BENNDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that a new Ministry is precisely the Ministry into which inquiry is most desirable?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; every post in the new Ministry has recently had to be sanctioned. The old Ministries are, of course, old Ministries, and have not been under such minute and special review.
§ Mr. MARRIOTTMay I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether these economy Committees are entitled to inquire into questions of policy as well as of expenditure?
§ Mr. MARRIOTTI did not hear.
§ Mr. MARRIOTTIf they are not entitled to deal with questions of policy, in what respect do their functions differ from those of the Committee on National Expenditure?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThese are specific Committees. The Committee on National Expenditure does not, I think, examine into the details of the staffing arrangements of the Departments. These others are small Special Committees, with special qualifications to examine into the staffing arrangements and the organisation of particular Departments, to see whether their organisation is good or bad, and whether any improvements in organisation or any reduction in staff can be effected.
§ Mr. SPEAKERFurther questions had better be put down.
58. Captain TUDOR-REESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to publish the results of the investigations to be made by economy Committees in the various Departments?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think that it will probably be desirable to publish the Reports, but I should not like to come to a final decision till they have been received, and I have had an opportunity, if necessary, of consulting the Chairmen.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability that the investigations of these Committees should be in public, so that we may know from day to day the evidence that is being submitted?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think that would be a businesslike procedure. I see the work of the Committees: it should not be done in public.
§ 62. Mr. REMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committees of Inquiry into Government extravagance will have as part of their reference the policy of the Ministry which causes extravagance, particularly the continuance of control by the Ministry of Food in several directions which causes losses to the Government, waste of valuable foodstuffs, and needless jobs for unnecessary officials?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The Committees are not Committees to enquire into Government policy, but into the staff and organisation of certain Departments. The terms of reference will be as follows:
To examine either by way of test examination or otherwise, as they may see fit, the staffing and methods of work of the Department, and to report what, if any, economies may be effected therein, having regard to the work which the Department is called upon to perform in the execution of the policy decided by the Government.
§ Mr. REMERIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this decision will limit the scope of the inquiry to a very small and minute one?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I am not aware of that. If the allegations habitually made be true that will not be the case. The allegation is that Government Departments are overstaffed for the work they have to do, and that is the question which these Committees are invited to investigate.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) is included in this inquiry?
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman state how the Members of this 2150 House will be appointed? Will the names be put down on the Paper, and moved in the ordinary way, or will the right hon. Gentleman invite hon. Members to serve?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. They will be appointed in the ordinary way. It is only in the case of Committees of this House that a Motion is made for the appointment of certain Members. When a Departmental Committee is formed on the invitation of a Minister, it is done by an invitation to particular Members.
§ Mr. REMERIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is the policy of the Department which causes the extravagance of which complaint is made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is not the only allegation made. There is the other allegation which I have already described. If the policy is challenged, it should be done in this House on the Votes of the Ministries.
§ Viscount WOLMERWill it be competent for the Committee to report what is the actual cost?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe business of the Committee is to see whether, for the work which is set the Government Department to do, they are overstaffed or ill-organised.