§ 67. Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that while the number of beneficiaries of the Pensions Ministry fell from 3,333.506 on 31st March, 1920, to 2,620,000 on 31st December, 1922, and the number of subordinate staff was reduced during the same period from 31,128 to 24,636, the number of permanent officials of the rank of principal clerk and above was increased from 61 to 78; and whether this increase of highly-paid staff during a period when many lower-grade clerks were dismissed was sanctioned by the Treasury?
§ Major TRYONMy right hon Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Treasury, after full consideration, authorised the increase which was necessary for the effective organisation and supervision of the work and the proper control of the large expenditure with which my Department is charged.
§ Mr. J. DAVISONCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the 1772 appointment- of these highly-paid officials was undertaken in the interests of real economy or under the pressure of political influence?
§ Major TRYONPolitical influence had nothing whatever to do with it. On the point of economy I may add that these appointments have thoroughly justified themselves because we are working with a much smaller staff, and the cost of administration, not counting medical work, is about 9d. in the £.