§ 54. Sir CHARLES HANSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that under the Ministries of Food, Labour, Shipping, Coal Controller, and Board of Agriculture there are at present employed by these Departments in outside work throughout London and the Provinces, but not including the administrative and clerical staffs engaged in the offices of the Ministries in London, a total number of 18,893 persons, involving a total cost to the State per annum for salaries and incidental expenses, such as travelling and maintenance, amounting to —4,165,142; and whether, in view of the result of the con- 231 trols exercised, he will consider the desirability of the abolition of this costly machinery?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not think that the results of the controls can profitably be dealt with by way of question and answer, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the staffs in question have been, and are still being, continuously reviewed; in order to secure every possible reduction.