62. Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Attorney-General what is the total number of the staff employed in the King's Proctor's Department.; and what the total amount of the salaries and allowances of the Department come to?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)The total number of the staff employed in the King's Proctor's Department (inclusive of the Procurator-General) is 13, and the total amount of the salaries and allowances (including bonus) is £4,983. The Procurator-General receives no salary as such, but is paid a salary as Treasury Solicitor.
Mr. RAWLINSONHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the statement in the Press to the effect that over £102,000 a year is charged for 1199 this Department, and that the staff numbers over 200? As I gather from his reply that statement is without foundation.
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI did observe in the papers the statement referred to, and, as my right hon. and learned Friend rightly surmises from my answer, the statement is without. foundation and must have been based on some very gross mistake.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWould the large sum mentioned in the Press not include the fees of counsel?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALNo. It is an enormous list of salaries which have no existence.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWhat are the fees of counsel?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI could not say without notice.