HC Deb 06 October 1931 vol 257 cc975-6
21. Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number employed in all categories at the Ordnance Survey establishment at Southampton in 1913–14 and in 1930–31; the total expenditure in salaries and wages; and the total working expenses apart from salaries and wages?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)

The number employed in all technical and clerical categories of the Ordnance Survey in Great Britain in 1913–14 was 1,624, as against 1,034 in 1930–31. The total expenditure in salaries and wages was £162,990 in 1913–14, as compared with £214,360 in 1930–31, whilst other working expenses amounted in 1913–14 to £25,250, and in 1930–31 to £26,160. There was, however, a decrease in the net cost from £152,310 in 1913–14 to £130,740 in 1930–31, owing to an increase in appropriations-in-aid. The above figures are exclusive of artificers and cleaners, whose work has partly been taken over since 1914 by the Office of Works.

Sir G. HAMILTON

While I am very much obliged for that long answer, may I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that my question asked for the expenses at Southampton, not throughout the country?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The office is in Southampton.

Sir G. HAMILTON

Does the Southampton office cover the whole of the United Kingdom?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Yes.

Major BRAITHWAITE

Is this station at Southampton in the most favourable position for having these agricultural people stationed?

Sir J. GILMOUR

They are not agricultural; they are making maps for the Ordnance Survey.

32. Sir G. HAMILTON

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number employed by the Stationery Office in London in all departments in connection with Ordnance Survey and other maps in 1913–14 and in 1930–31, with the total salary and wages expenditure for the same period?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Elliot)

Apart from a negligible fraction of the time of sales staff, no staff are or were employed by the Stationery Office in 1913–14 or in 1930–31 in connection with Ordnance Survey or other maps.