§ 15. Sir C. CAYZERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of the clerical staff on the Admiralty Vote as at about let April, 1932, and at an approximately similar date in 1914; and will he institute an investigation into the necessity for the employment of each member of the clerical staff and see whether there can be a material reduction of the inflow and outflow of correspondence connected with naval matters?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLThe numbers of the clerical staff on the Admiralty Vote were 829 on 1st August, 1914, and 1,366 on 1st April last. Investigations of the character suggested are carried out almost continuously at the Admiralty, and there has been during the last 10 years a steady reduction of staff, which is still going on. It is expected that the merger of the Secretary's and the Accountant-General's Department, which has recently been announced and which is now in progress, will result in a considerable simplification of work and consequent reduction of staff.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWWill my right hon. Friend consider replacing civilians in as many departments as possible by unemployed naval officers, who would surely be competent for this work?
§ Commander MARSDENAre any of the investigations made by the Admiralty being made by experts who are not employed at the Admiralty?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLYes. All these investigations have been communicated to every commander-in-chief in the service.
§ Commander MARSDENI think my right hon. Friend misunderstood my question. What I wished to ask was whether those experts are people who are not employed by the Admiralty?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLNo. At present they are all employed at the Admiralty. We consider ourselves quite capable of dealing with these questions ourselves.