§ 17. Brigadier-General CHARTERIS (for Mr. RAMSDEN)asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, although the Corps of Military Accountants has been reduced from 100 officers and 700 men to 25 officers and 140 men, the services of the controller of cost accounting are still being retained at a salary of £1,200 a year, plus bonus; and whether he will inquire into the necessity for retaining this Civil Service official in view of the fact that the remaining 25 officers, who have now been transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps for accounting duties, are all qualified chartered or incorporated accountants, and as such fully capable of dealing with all accounting matters?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe holder of the post of Controller of Cost Accounts has not only great knowledge of the methods and possibilities of cost accounting, but he has also exceptionally wide experience of the system and requirements of Government accounts generally. He is usefully employed in his present position.
§ Brigadier-General CHARTERISIs the appointment of this official permanent?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo; I think that it is not.
§ Brigadier-General CHARTERISIs he pensionable?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI must have notice of that question.