62. Sir F. HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of civil servants who receive over four weeks' holiday each year; and what would be the reduction of staff, and the consequent annual saving on salaries, if the maximum annual leave were reduced to four weeks?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe number of civil servants, exclusive of those on foreign service, who are eligible for more than four weeks' holiday each year is estimated to be approximately 23,000. I am unable to conjecture the saving which might result if my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion were adopted, but it would certainly be insignificant, as the duties of officers of the grades in question who are on leave are normally covered by extra attendance on the part of their colleagues, who are not entitled to any additional payment on this account.