65. Mr. YOUNGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reason the staff of the department of civil engineer-in-chief is to be reduced by 17 in number during 1928; and whether it would be possible to reduce other departments of the Admiralty Office pro rata, especially on the naval side, seeing that the Fleet is being decreased and the number of officers and men reduced?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)The staff referred to was a temporary staff proposed to be specially entered for head office work in connection with the Singapore scheme. Owing to the contract particulars not being got out in such detail as was originally intended and the work in the drawing office being spread over a longer period, the staff was not actually entered and is now omitted from the Estimates as not likely to be required during 1928. The second part of the question, therefore, is not strictly relevant, but I would refer the hon. Member to the numerous replies which have been given recently on this subject.