§ 24. Mr. JAMES DUNCANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further reduction can be made, in the interests of economy, in the numbers of the staffs of the Foreign Office Diplomatic and Consular Services, in view of the increase in the numbers since 1902; and will he allow a fresh investigation, designed for testing the necessity for every official on the active list of the above Departments?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe numbers of the staffs of the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic and Consular Services are constantly under review with the object of securing that they are not higher than is neceasary for the discharge of the duties which have to be performed. The increase in numbers during the last 30 years is due to an increase of duties and functions. In these circumstances, I see 1536 no necessity for a fresh special investigation at the present time.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELWould it not be advisable to ask the Treasury's Establishment Department to examine the staffing of the Foreign Office?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think my hon. Friend may be entirely assured that as a matter of fact all proper investigations are made from this point of view.