18. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions on what date approval was given to the appointment of two principal assistant secretaries to the Ministry of Pensions: whether the volume of work had at that time commenced to decline, and has continued to decline each year: and whether there is any reason for the retention of two principal assistant secretaries in the Department?
§ Major TRYONA post as second secretary was authorised by the Treasury on the 28th April, 1920. Authority was given for the conversion of this post into one for a principal assistant secretary and for the creation of a second post on that grade on the 10th October, 1921 The volume, though not the complexity, of the work of the Ministry had already shown a decline, and the decline has since continued. The number of principal officers at Ministry Headquarters was recently reduced by two, and I am entirely satisfied that there is sufficient responsible work to necessitate the retention of the officers referred to.