HC Deb 18 November 1931 vol 259 cc847-8
40. Mr. BATEY

asked the Prime Minister why separate appointments were made for the Secretaries of State to the Dominions and Colonial Offices, in view of the fact that during the late Government the offices were combined and of the need for economy?

The PRIME MINISTER

The appointment of one Minister to hold both these offices was an emergency arrangement which it was never intended to make permanent. The reasons which led to these two offices being entrusted to different Ministers—namely, the amount and variety of the responsibilities involved in each office—are even more cogent to-day than they were nearly two years ago.

Mr. BATEY

Then are we to understand from that answer that the Government no longer stand for economy?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Government always stand for economy, with efficiency combined.