§ 35. Sir Percy Hurdasked the Minister of Information how many men and women are employed in the postal and telegraph censorship of the Ministry in addition to the other 1,801 on the staff; what is the total cost in salaries; and are any further sums paid for services in connection with the Ministry's secret inquests or otherwise?
Mr. CooperThe present staff of the postal and telegraph censorship is 3,808 men and 6,635 women. The total cost of the salaries of these persons is £2,196,000 per annum, while the salaries of the 1,801 members of the Ministry proper total £528,500 per annum. The Ministry does not conduct any secret inquests. The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Sir P. HurdIs not the Minister himself conscious of the colossal numbers and cost, and is he considering how they can be brought within reasonable limits?
Mr. CooperThe Postal and Telegraph Censorship inevitably employs an enormous number of people, and 1 think that at the present time it is more important to make quite sure that the work is being efficiently carried out than to reduce numbers.
§ Sir P. HurdBut what about the other 1,801?