§ 6. Major O'NEILLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what reduction in the numbers of the staff and employés, male and female, in the Admiralty has taken place since 11th November, 1918?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe total number of civilian staff (excluding messengers and charwomen) employed by the Admiralty has decreased from 8,062 to 7,467, a net reduction of 595.
The gross reduction was 1,039, but against this must be set an addition of 444 in the Departments and branches of the Admiralty which have to deal with demobilisation and reconstruction problems, with payment of war gratuities, preparation of records of service for the purpose of prize money distribution, increases in children's allowances, and other matters.
§ Major O'NEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman give some indication when those reconstruction improvements will be completed, and when there may be a further material reduction in this respect?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot answer as to the first part of the question, and as regards the second part we are doing all we can to see that the staff is not more than is required, but we have many urgent problems before the Board, and I think the staff are over-worked.
§ Major O'NEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say if all those who are there are fully employed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWhenever I have seen them they are more than fully employed.