§ 34. Mr. DENMANasked the President of the Local Government Board (1) how many persons, are expected to be occupied in the compilation of the National Register; (2) what is the estimated cost of producing the National Register; how many million forms will be distributed; and how many months will elapse before the information obtained will be available for practical use?
§ 36. Mr. CLOUGHasked by what date the proposed National Register will be completed; what are the numbers of the present staff, and of any extra staff, that will be employed upon its compilation; and what is likely to be its ultimate cost?
§ Mr. LONGUnder the scheme of the Bill the local authorities will themselves arrange for the distribution and collection of forms in their own areas and for the actual compilation and maintenance of the register, and, as I have said, I anticipate they will get plenty of voluntary help for the purpose. It is impossible to say how many persons will actually be engaged. The cost will largely depend on the amount of voluntary help that is available. I anticipate that some twenty to twenty-five million forms will be distributed in England and Wales. I hope that a good deal of valuable information will be available in a few weeks after the date of registration.
§ Mr. LONGThe hon. Member surely realises that it would be very wrong of me to take that step until the Bill has received the assent of Parliament.