Treasury

Treasury, THE, a Governmental department which has charge of the Civil List and the receipts and expenditure of the revenues generally. It was originally presided over by the Lord High Treasurer, but this office has been continuously, from the reign of Queen Anne, put in commission. The Commission consists of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is generally Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is head of his own department, and three junior Lords. There are also two secretaries - the Patronage Secretary, better known as the Government Whip, and the Permanent Secretary, The three junior Lords are generally English, Scottish, and Irish respectively. The working of the department is entrusted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Patronage Secretary being responsible for correspondence, and the Financial Secretary preparing the Civil Service Estimates. But the real working of the details depends upon the permanent officials, especially the Comptroller General. The Treasury exercises general control where no special provision is made, and has special supervision of the Inland Revenue, the Customs, Woods and Forests, and Post Office Departments, It has its own solicitor, who also discharges other duties; and the Paymaster-General is concerned in distributing pay to the army, navy, etc. The Treasury Bench in the Honse of Commons is the front bench on the right hand of the Speaker.