HC Deb 11 April 1928 vol 162 cc1197-8
29. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the total number of Ministers, secretaries, advisers, and other officials with a salary,' excluding bonus, of £1,000 per annum and upwards which he proposes to ask the House shall be borne on the Estimates of his Department for the current financial year; and can the reconsideration of these posts on vacancies be held to mean that in the majority of cases they will not be filled up?

Sir M. BARLOW

The number of officials (including Ministers, and including both headquarter and provincial officers) borne on the Vote for the Ministry of Labour, who are in receipt of salaries, excluding bonus, of £21,000 per annum and upwards is 36. Of this number, three are loaned to other Departments. As regards vacancies, it is the settled practice to consider in each case whether a particular post need be filled. The number of posts must, of course, depend upon the volume and responsibility of the work which the Ministry is called upon to perform.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of those who are getting this salary, including bonus?

Sir M. BARLOW

If the hon. Member. will put a question down I will endeavour to answer it.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTONGRIFFITHS

Are these three who are loaned to other Departments on the charge of the Ministry of Labour?

Sir M. BARLOW

Yes.

30. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the recommendations of the Geddes Committee and to the urgent need of public economy, he is satisfied that a reduction in the Estimates of his Department of less than £2,000,000 on a total expenditure for last year of £18,000,000 is the utmost possible?

Sir M. BARLOW

In framing the Estimates the whole expenditure of the Ministry was most carefully reviewed in the interests of economy, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that every effort has been made, to secure all possible reductions.

Mr. TURNER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large amount of public money is being wasted at present in connection with the labour dispute in Norfolk by the transference of policemen from York to.Norfolk, where they are not needed?