38. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the expenditure of £30,000 on calculating and other machines for the use of Government Departments has reduced, or will result in any reduction in, the number of clerical staff?
§ Mr. McNEILLYes, Sir. Expenditure on calculating and other machines for use in Government Departments results in appreciable reductions in the numbers of clerical staff required.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the staff will be displaced on account of their introduction?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, Sir. You cannot earmark particular members of the clerical staff to so many machines.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSCan my right hon. Friend say whether the members of the staff who will not be required owing to the introduction of these machines will be transferred to another Government Department, or whether they will be discharged?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot say that without notice.