25 and 26. Viscountess ASTORasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) what increase in complement has been authorised for the depot record offices, or is the existing staff expected to cope with this additional duty;
(2) if he will state, with reference to Fleet Orders 1,523 and 1,864 of 1930, what reduction is being effected in the Admiralty staff by the transfer of certain records, etc., to the home ports and Royal Marine divisions?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. A. V. Alexander)A reduction of five has already been made in the clerical staff of the Admiralty on account of this transfer of work, and it is anticipated that a further reduction of seven will ultimately be effected on the same account, making a total reduction of 12. No increase of complement has been authorised for the depot record offices, as the change is expected to admit of the simplification, in certain respects, of the work now performed there.