HC Deb 12 December 1922 vol 159 cc2563-4
51. Mr. FOOT

asked the Prime Minister what were the respective positions in the Cabinet Secretariat staff held by the 19 members thereof who have been transferred to other Departments, and what were their salaries before they were so transferred; and if he will state to what Departments the said 19 members have respectively been transferred, and what their salaries are in their new Departments?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)

Twelve permanent clerks on the scale of £60 to £250 per annum plus bonus and seven temporary clerks on the scales of 66s. 10d. to 73s. 7d. and 74s. to 87s. 7d. inclusive a week, all of whom performed clerical duties in the Cabinet Secretariat, have been transferred to the Departments enumerated in my reply to the hon. Member for the South Molton Division on the 30th November, their respective rates of salary either remaining unchanged or being reduced on transfer to Departments in which the prescribed hours of attendance are not so long.

Mr. FOOT

If there was any need for the transfer of these several clerks, was there a shortage in the other Departments? If so, why was not the shortage met before then?

Mr. BALDWIN

I think that the hon. Member has a question on the subject-later on.

65. Mr. FOOT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the anticipated saving of £20,000 in the Cabinet Secretariat Vote is a net saving to the Treasury, or whether this sum represents only the anticipated reduction on the Cabinet Secretariat Vote?

Mr. BALDWIN

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member on the 7th instant, a saving of approximately £20,000 will be effected on the Vote for the Cabinet Secretariat. This amount also represents the ultimate net saving to the Treasury, as the staff transferred fill existing vacancies in other Departments for which staff must in any case be provided.

Mr. FOOT

Seeing that the total annual cost of the Cabinet Secretariat was returned at £32,000, how can the right hon. Gentleman explain a saving of £20,000, inasmuch as only the smaller part of the Cabinet Secretariat has been dealt with?

Mr. BALDWIN

I would like notice of that question, as it would involve going through all the details concerning the people who have been removed.