§ 10. Sir EDWIN CORNWALLasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of the staff employed by the Board of Trade in March, 1906, March, 1914, and in September, 1916; and what were the duties of the Board of Trade in 1906, what new duties were added between 1906 and 1914, and what further duties have been added since the outbreak of War?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe number of the staff employed by the Board of Trade in March, 1906, March, 1914, and July, 1916, was 2,159, 7,014, and 7,187 respectively. The last figure is exclusive of 1,709 members of the staff serving with the forces and is inclusive of 2,514 women clerks, etc. The increase in the staff between 1906 and 1914 was principally due to the setting up of the Labour Exchanges and the introduction of unemployment insurance. A list of the different departments of the Board of Trade at the dates before mentioned will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. [See Written Answers.]