§ 28. Mr. Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will give the total number of persons employed by his Department other than operative builders?
§ Mr. HicksThe number of non-industrial staff employed by the Ministry on 1st October, 1943, was 14,893.
§ Mr. ButcherWill the hon. Gentleman keep these figures constantly under review in view of the reduction of building work that is now going on so that the numbers may be kept to a minimum?
§ Mr. HicksYes, Sir, my Ministry is constantly engaged upon review. The numbers have been substantially increased, however, by the addition of certain staff from the Ministry of Aircraft Production and the Ministry of Supply. Moreover, a new Directorate, that of Opencast Coal Production, has been built up within the last six months.