§ 47. Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how frequently the Treasury has availed itself of the power conferred upon it by Order in Council of 1910 to direct inquiry to be made at intervals of not less than five years into the pay and number of officers employed by any Department of State; what was the date of the last such inquiry; and if it is intended to hold any similar inquiries in the immediate future?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo occasion has arisen in recent years for resort to the formal power referred to. It is the day to day duty of Treasury officers to keep in the closest possible touch with officers in charge of departmental establishments with a view to the most economical organisation possible for dealing with the work to be done, close investigations being constantly made on the spot of the nature of the work to be performed and the best methods of performing it. This system of control was commended in paragraph 44 of the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure, 1931.
§ Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDCould the hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the second part of my question?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI think that I have already answered that question. 1331 The hon. Member will see that the system of control is satisfactory and that therefore it is not necessary to have a similar inquiry.
§ Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDDoes not the second part ask what was the date of the last inquiry?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have said that the power has not been used in recent years. I am not sure how many years, but I will ascertain and communicate it to my hon. and gallant Friend.