§ 42. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has formed any estimate of the additional staff required, both at his office and as inspectors outside, to manage and control the cinematograph industry under the Government Bill; and whether the Overseas Trade Department officials are to form the nucleus of the new Department?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I have no doubt that the necessary duties can be discharged by a very small addition to the existing staff of the Board of Trade. There will be no new Department, and the second part of the question, consequently, does not arise.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAm I to understand that, if the Overseas Trade Department is dissolved, these officials will have prior opportunity of getting the new jobs?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have already said that there will be few, if any, new jobs, therefore, I am afraid that the competitors will be disappointed.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINCan I suggest a method by which this scheme be administered without any additional cost?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should be glad to have any such suggestion.