§ 15. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the percentage of increase of the total Departmental staff as on 1st January, 1925, compared with 1st January, 1914; and what steps, if any, are being taken to reduce the staff?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)The staff of the Admiralty (excluding industrial grades) at headquarters and the outports on the 1st January, 1925, was approximately 50 per cent. greater than on the 1st January, 1914. The staff is constantly under review, as is evidenced by the fact that there has been a reduction of nearly 200 since the 1st January, 1924.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the personnel of the Navy is down by 30 per cent. during the same period, and is it necessary that there should be such an increased staff to deal with a smaller personnel?