§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can take any steps to expedite the payment of salaries of clerks of pension committees so as to avoid the delay which at present arises in connection with such payment?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe delay which has taken place in connection with the accounts for the first two quarters has been largely due to the unfamiliarity of the clerks of the pension committees with the work of accounting and the regulation governing the accounts. As a result of this, numerous queries have been necessary before the accounts could be paid. The staff in the Treasury which deals with the accounts has, moreover, recently been strengthened, and I anticipate that for both these reasons the increased staff will be able to deal much more rapidly with the improved accounts which may be expected to be received for the present and future quarters.