HC Deb 26 May 1939 vol 347 c2679
8. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour the total staff of the Ministry of Labour as at the last convenient date; and the total amount of wages and salaries paid by his Department for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, including salaries paid to branch managers?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The total staff of the Ministry of Labour at 31st March, 1939, was 29,105 and the total amount of wages and salaries paid by the Ministry for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1939, was approximately £6,407,000, including salaries paid to Branch Managers. These figures exclude staff (mainly industrial) at training centres.

Mr. Day

Do those figures show a steady increase on the previous year?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the Estimates, he will see a comparison.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that all those who are familiar with what these men do believe that they earn every penny that they get?

Mr. Brown

Certainly.