78. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in 1914 the personnel of the Royal Navy numbered 145,600, and the Admiralty staff 4,400, while the corresponding numbers on 1st June, 1920, were 132,000 and 12,827; and will he say if the Treasury made any representations as to why so large a staff was necessary for a reduced personnel, and what answer was received from the Board of Admiralty?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the facts mentioned in the first part of the question. The Treasury has pressed on the Admiralty, as on other Departments, the urgent necessity for the reduction of staff; but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that as the Admiralty is still heavily engaged in the liquidation of war business, its staff cannot be demobilised at the same rate as the fleet, and that the numbers of naval personnel is only one of the factors, and not the most important factor, affecting the work of the Admiralty.