HC Deb 09 June 1921 vol 142 cc2055-6
75. Sir W. BARTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the record and qualifications of the Comptroller-General appointed to succeed Sir Henry Gibson; by whom the appointment was made; the emoluments and conditions of service; and what steps were taken to get the best man that could be got?

Sir R. HORNE

Sir Malcolm Ramsay has had a financial experience in the Treasury extending over 24 years, and for eight years he was in charge of the Treasury Division directly concerned with problems of Parliamentary and public accounting and was Accounting Officer for all Votes and funds administered by the Treasury. His career in the Treasury has been a distinguished one, in the course of which he has received special promotion, eventually becoming Controller of the Establishments Department. The appointment to the post of Comptroller and Auditor-General is made by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, and it is the constitutional duty of the Prime Minister to advise the King in regard to it. In accordance with the recommendations (published in Command Paper 1188) of the Committee over which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley presided, the post carries a salary of £3,000 a year, and, in addition, bonus, at present rates, of £500. On appointment the Comptroller and Auditor-General is invariably asked to signify his willingness to retire, if called upon to do so, on attaining the age of 65 years. Sir Malcolm Ramsay was appointed because he is believed to be the person best qualified for the post.

Sir W. BARTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer is in a special sense a servant of this House and maintains contact with it through the Public Accounts Committee; that the functions of the Committee are to see that the moneys voted by Parliament are applied to the purposes for which they are voted, and that proper value is got; and in these circumstances is it not clear that the House should have some say in the appointment?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for argument.

Captain TERRELL

Why is it necessary to give the Comptroller-General £500 extra as war bonus two years after the War?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for argument. The question on the Paper is concerned only with the facts.