§ 54. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give particulars of the proposals now before the Treasury for increasing the salaries attached to any of the posts in the Welsh Board of Health, and for creating new posts; and whether, in this connection, he will take into account the Government's decision to suspend the extension of administrative services during the period of the war and of the effect on junior staff now serving in the Forces of the promotion of those not so serving?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)I have been asked to reply. As the House will be aware, my right hon. Friend's decision to exercise through the Welsh Board of Health at Cardiff certain powers now administered from London gives effect to the desire expressed in all parts of the House during the Debate on the report made by the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Clement Davies) and on other occasions, that essential health services in Wales should be vigorously administered. Certain blocks of work are being transferred to the Welsh Board, and this has necessitated the addition of four senior and certain junior posts to the Board's staff, and the regrading of three other posts, while some reduction will be effected in the establishment in London. In reviewing the matter, my right hon. Friend has given the closest attention to the need for economy in public expenditure, and all proper consideration will be given to the claims of officers serving in the Forces.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the hon. Lady give an estimate of the net increased expenditure as a result of the change?
§ Miss HorsbrughNo, Sir. The difficulty at present is that there has been so much reorganisation in that office on account of the emergency work connected with the war.