§ 58. Mr. FOOTasked the Prime Minister what is the actual number by which the personnel of the Cabinet Secretariat has been reduced since the 1st November, 1922; what particular position in the Secretariat staff was held by each person whose services have now been dispensed with; how many persons whose services have now been dispensed with have been transferred to other Departments; and what saving will be made by reason of the reductions effected?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is 35: of the 35, I was an administrative assistant, 19 were clerks, 6 typists, 5 messengers, and 4 cleaners; 19 persons have been transferred to other Departments. A saving on the Vote of, approximately, £20,000 per annum will be effected by the reductions already made or in contemplation.
§ Mr. PONSONBYHas the former practice of using the Secretariat for conducting foreign negotiations been abandoned?
§ Mr. BALDWINAbsolutely.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINDoes my right hon. Friend suggest that it has ever been used for that purpose?
§ Mr. BALDWINNot to my knowledge.
§ Mr. FOOTAre we to understand that the £20,000 is irrespective of the cost of 1984 those who have been transferred to other Departments, or is that a net saving?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have read the answer.