HC Deb 31 October 1944 vol 404 cc635-6
58. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of new Ministries established since the outbreak of war; the total number of Ministers of all ranks in September, 1939, and at present, respectively, with the total annual amount of salaries paid at both dates.

Sir J. Anderson

Since the answer is necessarily rather long, containing a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Davies

Is the length of the answer determined by the increase in the number of Ministries, and will the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT include the new Ministries of Social Security and for Civil Aviation?

Sir J. Anderson

I think the hon. Member must await the statement.

Sir H. Williams

Will the statement indicate which Minister looks after the sterling balances?

Following is the answer:

In answer to the first part of the Question, there are now eight Departments in being which did not exist before the war. This number does not include Departments which existed pre-war but which have since taken on enlarged duties, in some cases with a change of title; nor does it take account of the several newly-appointed Ministers, at home and abroad, who are not at the head of a Department in the ordinary sense.

In answer to the second part of the Question, the position is as follows:

Ministers. (1) Parliamentary Secretaries. (2) Total Salaries payable annually.(1)+(2)
£
Pre-War (1939) 26 24 163,000
Present 39 40 244,000