26. Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, in the interests of public economy, he has considered, or will consider, a decrease in the number of Ministerial posts?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe offices of Ministers of Food, Shipping and Munitions have already been abolished. The continuance of the office of Minister of Transport is required by Statute, but the work is mainly done by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary and the Minister receives no salary. One of the Patronage Secretaries also receives no salary. This is as far as we can go at present.
Captain TERRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman state any reason why the Ministerial posts at present held by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Minister of Labour, the Secretary for Mines, and the Minister for the Overseas Trade Department should not be at once abolished in the interests of economy?
Captain TERRELLIs it not the fact that the Geddes Committee, appointed by the Government themselves, recommended that the Minister for the Overseas Trade Department should be abolished at once, and, if that is so, may we have reasons why that has not been carried out?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere is no such Ministry in existence, and when a suggestion was made that the Department of Overseas Trade should be abolished an immediate protest was raised by the interests concerned.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member wants a Debate!