Ministry of Pensions.

Oral Answers to Questions — Government Staffs. – in the House of Commons at on 23 June 1921.

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Photo of Mr Robert Richardson Mr Robert Richardson , Houghton-le-Spring

6.

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of administrative expenses of local war pensions committees for the year ending 31st December, 1918, and 31st December, 1920?

Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe):

7.

inquired as to the number of persons employed on the staff of the Pensions Ministry on 31st December, 1918, and 31st December, 1920; and the number of persons receiving salaries of £500 per annum or over, including bonuses, on 31st December, 1918, and 31st December, 1920?

Photo of Mr John Mills Mr John Mills , Dartford

11.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many officials in his Depart- ment at present receive a salary of £l,000, including war bonus, or over; and how many received a salary of £1,000, or over, in June, 1914?

Photo of Mr George Tryon Mr George Tryon , Brighton

There can be no just comparison between 1918 and 1920. From 1918 onwards the work of War Pensions Committees was, as my hon. Friend knows, largely increased. Further, the staff of local committees which in 1918 was mainly voluntary is now employed on a salaried basis. In 1918, before the extension of the work due to demobilisation and other causes, the approximate amount of the administrative expenses of local committees was £500,000. In 1920 it was £1,200,000. This increasing expenditure was one of the reasons which actuated my right hon. Friend in appointing the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, over which I preside. As regards the staff in the direct employ of the Ministry, the numbers on the dates mentioned in 1918 and 1920 were 9,036 and 17,804 respectively, exclusive of hospital staff. The present number of officials (including 151 medical officers employed on a temporary basis) who are in receipt of salaries of £1,000 a year or more, including bonuses, is 184. The number receiving £500 a year, or over, including bonuses at the dates mentioned in 1918 and 1920, were respectively 268 (including 160 medical officers) and 880 (including 642 medical officers).

Photo of Captain Robert Gee Captain Robert Gee , Woolwich East

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a plain example of the superficial interest taken by the hon. Member for Dartford—who put down Question No. 11—in the ex-service man, as he evidently does not know that the, Ministry of Pensions is a product of the War?

Photo of Mr George Tryon Mr George Tryon , Brighton

It apparently is the case that the hon. Member for Dartford is not aware of the fact that in 1914 there was no Pensions Ministry.