HC Deb 10 November 1930 vol 244 cc1322-3
77. Mr. REMER

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many committees have been set up by him since the present Government came into office; what was the cost to the Exchequer; how many Statutory Committees have been sitting; and if he will state the total cost to the Exchequer?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)

To meet the requirements of the Board of Trade, Department of Overseas Trade, and Mines Department, my right hon. Friend has set up 21 committees, since the present Government came into office, including 13 Statutory Committees. It is not yet possible to state the cost of these committees to the Exchequer, as 11 of the Statutory Committees, appointed under the new Coal Mines Act, have not yet met and others have not completed their sittings, but the total cost to date is approximately £650. During the same period 12 Statutory Committees, 10 of which were previously appointed, have been sitting. The compilation of a statement of the total cost of these Statutory Committees, some of which have been in being for very many years, would involve a disproportionate amount of time and labour.

Mr. REMER

If I put the question down in a fortnight's time will the hon. Gentleman be able to state the cost of all these committees?

Mr. SMITH

At the moment it is suggested that the cost of investigation cannot be worked out, but, if the hon. Member will put down his question, I will try to give him an answer.

Mr. REMER

Is it not very important that we should know what is the cost of employing other people to do work which the Government ought to do themselves?

Mr. SMITH

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to give him an answer.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In view of the number of committees which have been appointed, will the hon. Gentleman appoint one more committee as recommended by the Balfour Committee to inquire into the Safeguarding Duties before they are allowed to expire next December?

86. Sir G. PENNY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of committees set up by the Government since they took office to date; and how many of these have reported?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)

The appointment of 53 commissions and committees has been announced since the present Government took office. Thirteen are standing committees. Of the remainder 14 have issued a report or reports.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Is the personnel of these committees included in the 160,000 people to whom the Government have given work under their schemes?