49. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that, in the nine classes of the Civil Estimates and in those for the Revenue Departments for the current financial year, 110 of the sub-heads, salaries, wages and allowances, show an increase, and only 66 a decrease compared with the previous year; and whether he can assure the House that he is taking every possible step to reduce the cost of the administration of the country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am fully aware of the variations in the sub-heads relating to salaries, wages and allowances in the Estimates referred to in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer him to the statement which I made yesterday in introducing the Budget.
§ 58. Sir FRANK SANDERSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants are to-day receiving a salary of £1,000 a year and over; and how many were receiving a salary of £1,000 and over in 1914?
§ Mr. McNEILLParticulars as to the number of Civil Servants receiving £1,000 per annum and over including bonus now and in 1914 could not be made available without calling upon the departments to make a special Return. A Return has already been presented to Parliament showing for the years 1913–14 and 1925–26 appointments in the Public Service carrying remuneration of £2,000 per annum and upwards. The changes to be made in the Return in respect of the year 1926–27 were given in the reply made to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Eastbourne on the 14th December last. The expenditure involved in producing a Return giving the number of all appointments carrying £1,000 per annum and upwards would not, I think, be justified.