56. Miss Wardasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the emergency demands made on certain Government Departments, he can give an assurance, on behalf of the Departments, that urgent work is not being delayed owing to shortage of executive and general staff?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Euan Wallace)Departments keep constantly in mind the need for adjusting staffs to the requirements of their work. Where necessary, additional staff is appointed as rapidly as circumstances permit. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there is a distinct limit to the rate at which new personnel can usefully be absorbed, but I can assure her that no effort is spared to deal speedily with urgent work.
Miss WardCan I take it that any Government Department which applies for additional staff will receive the necessary Treasury approbation?
§ Captain WallaceThe hon. Lady is reading more into my answer than I have said.
§ Captain WallaceIf the hon. Lady has a particular case in mind and will put down a question, I shall be glad to answer it.
§ Miss WilkinsonIs it not a fact that very large amounts of overtime are being worked?
§ Captain WallaceThat may be so, but you cannot bring a whole lot of new people in. We have to teach them their jobs first.