§ 46. Mr. FELLasked the Prime Minister whether several Government Departments have not nearly the usual amount of work to do that they have in normal years: whether the staffs of these Departments are now almost without work; and, if so, will the Government, as a temporary measure, transfer a number of employés from these Departments to those which are overworked, to the benefit of all the Departments?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The policy of transfer was adopted at the the beginning of the War, with excellent results. A large number of men have also joined His Majesty's Forces from offices where they could be spared, and I am not aware of any cases where Departments are overstaffed for the work which they have to do.