HC Deb 05 August 1942 vol 382 cc1023-4
68. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Minister of Supply why it was necessary for the amount of overtime worked in his Department to be tripled in the last six months?

The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)

The amount paid in overtime to the clerical staff in London in May was about double that paid in December last. The work of the Ministry has continuously increased; but it has been practicable to call on the clerical staff to work longer hours this summer than during last winter.

Mr. Purbrick

Would it not be better to employ some of the staffs who are already crying out for more work in some of the Departments than to pay overtime to others?