§ 35. Mr. N. CHAMBERLAINasked the Minister of Labour what were the num- 2364 bers of new applications and uncompleted cases handed over by the late Civil Liabilities Commissioners for Notts and Derby and Lincolnshire, respectively, when those officers resigned their position; and what are the numbers and estimated annual cost of the salaries of the staff now engaged in the same work in those counties?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number of cases handed over were for Notts and Derby, 41; Lincolnshire, 142. The present staff consists of one Commissioner, one Investigating Officer, and two Clerks, at a total annual cost in salaries of £1,063 6s. per annum. I may perhaps add that the total annual cost of the office under the old administration, when it consisted of two Commissioners and four Clerks, was £1,347 12s., including £160 for additional and special travelling allowance to one of the Commissioners.
§ 36. Mr. N. CHAMBERLAINasked the Minister of Labour how many new applications have been registered by the 34 Civil Liabilities Commissioners recently appointed at a salary of £500 each during the six weeks from 29th May to 9th July inclusive; and how many new applications were registered during the six weeks from 31st May to 11th July inclusive in the year 1919?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number of new applications received by the 34 Civil Liabilities Commissioners during the six weeks from 29th May to 9th July inclusive, was 7,447. In addition, there were received for appeal or revision 4,214 cases. The number of cases outstanding with Commissioners at the end of the period was 2,877. During the corresponding period of 1919, when there were 65 Commissioners, the number of new applications registered was 21,712. But the number of cases outstanding with Commissioners at the end of that period was 19,338.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINHow much longer is it necessary to keep this large staff in existence?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey will not be kept a moment longer than is necessary, but I must appeal to my hon. Friend to allow us to have a sufficient staff to carry out this work, delay in which means a real hardship to poor people at the other 2365 end of the line. So far as I am concerned, I shall prevent that by all the means in my power.