§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Pensions what the estimates for the clerical and administrative work of the Ministry were when his predecessor left office; what they were for last year, and what they are for this year; and to what causes are the difference in these estimates attributable?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe estimates for the clerical and administrative work of the Ministry for the three years, 1918–19, 1919–20 and 1920–21, were, respectively, £934,000, £1,988,000 and £2,173,000. These figures do not include the expenditure in respect of medical services and Local Committee administration. The increase in the expenditure is mainly due to the enormously increased volume of work, the number of pensions granted during the last year having equalled the total number granted during the whole of the first four years of the War, and also to the bonus awarded to permanent civil' servants, and the corresponding increases in the pay of the temporary staff.
§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Pensions whether the decentralisation of 899W the Ministry's work is calculated to increase or to decrease the cost of administration, and in either case by how much?
§ Sir J. CRAIGIt is probable that the scheme of decentralisation will increase the cost of administration during the transition stage, but it is not possible to state what the increase will be. It is confidently expected that the increase will be more than compensated for by greater efficiency and expedition in working and by economies in other administrative units.