HC Deb 22 February 1926 vol 192 cc28-9
87. Colonel WOODCOCK

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to reduce the expenditure of the Statistics Department of the Ministry in accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee on Estimates, dated 27th May, 1925?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)

The only recommendation made by the Select Committee in this connection was to the effect that expense could be saved by concentrating the headquarters staff of the Ministry, which at present is housed in widely-separated premies. Arrangements are in hand with this object in view, but I am not sure that it can be applied at present to the Statistics Department.

Colonel WOODCOCK

May I ask if the Ministry mean to carry out the scheme that was suggested? It was a very good scheme, and it would save a lot of money.

Mr. BETTERTON

As I said in the answer, the premises of the Ministry are being concentrated, and buildings are being put up for that purpose, but whether the Statistics Department will be one of those so concentrated I cannot say now.