§ 5. Mr. WINDSORasked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of staff in the finance branch of the Ministry in London; and how many are graded above the rank of Grade 1 clerk?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYOn the 1st March, 1925, the staff of the Accounts Division numbered 516, of whom 153 ranked above Grade 1 temporary clerk. These figures include 63 auditors, who, although attached to headquarters, are employed on local audit work throughout the country.
§ 18. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Pensions if he will explain, in view of the continual fall in the volume of the work of the Ministry, why the charge for office accommodation, included in other Estimates in connection with this service, Class 1, Vote 10, is increased from £453,840 for 1924–25 to £553,430 for the year 1925–26?
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON (for the First Commissioner of. Works)The increase in the Class 1, Vote 10, Allied Service provision from £453,840 in 1924–5 to £553,430 in 1925–6 is due to the inclusion of £50,000 on account of the new hospital at Leeds, and £51,000 for the headquarters' expenses of the Office of Works. 1925–6 is the first year in which the practice of including the latter item in Allied Service provisions has been adopted. The description of the provision as being in respect of "office accommodation" is incorrect, as it covers all Ministry of Pensions services.