HC Deb 02 December 1925 vol 188 cc2197-8
13. Mr. HARMSWORTH

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many shorthand writers are employed at the Admiralty now and the corresponding figure in 1914?

Mr. DAVIDSON

78 shorthand writers are now employed as compared with 10 in 1914.

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Does the hon. Gentleman think any economy can take place in regard to the number?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The whole question is being considered in connection with the Estimates which will be presented. In most commercial firms a shorthand-typist is considered to be a labour-saving device.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Does the hon. Gentleman think it will be an economy to dismiss these people, and put thorn on the Employment Exchange?

Sir FREDRIC WISE

Are these employés typists, as well as shorthand-writers?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The question referred to shorthand writers.

Sir F. WISE

Are they typists as well?

Mr. DAVIDSON

I must have notice of that question, but I imagine they are.

14. Mr. HARMSWORTH

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many messengers and cleaners are employed at the Admiralty and the corresponding figure for 1914?

Mr. DAVIDSON

238 messengers and 143 cleaners are now employed as compared with 221 and 101 respectively in 1914.

15. Mr. HARMSWORTH

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many persons are employed in and what is the cost of the technical costings section of the Admiralty, whether this section is productive of economy, and how the work was carried out in 1914?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The present staff of the technical costs section consists of 15 technical officers and one clerk. The total cost of the salaries is £6,111 19s. per annum, this cost being shared with the Admiralty by other Departments of State which utilise the services of the section. The section is productive of economy, especially in those cases where competition is not available. In 1914 there was no such specialised organisation. The section was transferred from the Ministry of Munitions to the Admiralty on the recommendation of the House of Commons Committee on National Expenditure after the War.