§ 48. Mr. MACKINDERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer. If he will explain the cause of the difference between the sum of £450 paid as allowance for private secretaries to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the year 1924–25 and the sum of £750 paid for the same services in the current financial year?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The sum provided in the Estimates for this allowance has varied over the past ten years from £400 to £800 per annum according to the amount of secretarial assistance which Ministers have from to time and in varying circumstances found necessary.
§ Mr. MACKINDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider this extra appointment and the recent appointment of a ceremonial officer at the Colonial Office are indicative of the Government's desire to economise?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe hon. Gentleman raises two different matters, but in regard to that with which I am concerned, I certainly do everything in my power to make as small a demand on public expenditure as is possible. But there are very good precedents for the allowance in this case. When the pressure of work is very heavy, it is usual for Ministers in such circumstances to act within the limits of their discretion in making such appointments.
§ Mr. MACKINDERAre we to understand from that answer that Ministers can appoint now as many secretaries as they like?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, that would be not only unfounded on anything that I have said, but completely inaccurate in fact.