HC Deb 01 April 1919 vol 114 cc1070-1
65. Major O'NEILL

asked what reduction in the numbers of the staff and employés, male and female, of the Ministry has taken place since 11th November, 1918?

Mr. HOPE

Since the date of the Armistice the headquarters staff of the Ministry of Munitions has been reduced from 25,144 to 16,101. This represents a reduction of 9,043 persons, of whom 2,541 were transferred to the Demobilisation and Resettlement Department of the Ministry of Labour, and 6,502 have been discharged.

Major O'NEILL

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the rate of discharge will be at any rate increased in the near future?

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Why has the rate of demobilisation been so slow?

Mr. HOPE

I am afraid that I cannot give an absolute promise. Hundreds have been discharged during the last fortnight. But the business of the liquidation of contracts demands a large staff, and hon. Members may appreciate that sometimes it is quite as complicated a business to get out of your liabilities as to incur them.

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