77. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that a reduction on the gross number of officials employed in Government Departments from 418,025 in November, 1918, to 368,910 as on 1st June, 1920, represents an adequate decrease having regard to the strain on the taxpayer; and can he hold out any prospect of this total being reduced to the pre-War figure of 278,000?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I am not satified that the reductions already made are adequate, and as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware independent committees are being appointed to make special investigations into the circumstances of seven Departments, and similar inquiries will, if necessary, be made later into other Departments. As regards the last part of the question, the expansion of Government activity since 1914 has been so great that I cannot anticipate that staffs can revert to the pre-War figure.