HC Deb 03 February 1944 vol 396 cc1404-6
69. Mr. Petherick

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of persons employed in the Public Relations and/or Press Departments in every Government Department.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Assheton)

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stokes

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the total number?

Mr. Assheton

I think that would be rather misleading. Perhaps the hon. Member will await the figures.

Following is the answer:

The attached table gives for all Government Departments the particulars referred to. The figures include all Public Relations and Press Department staff employed in this country, but exclude those serving overseas.

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
Number of Staff engaged on Public Relations and Press work at 31st January, 1944.
Admiralty 115
Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of 61
Air Ministry 371 (a)
Aircraft Production, Ministry of 27
Colonial Office 21
Dominions Office 8
Economic Warfare, Ministry of 11
Education, Board of 12
Food, Ministry of 70
Foreign Office 10
Fuel and Power, Ministry of 22
Health, Ministry of 25
Home Office and Ministry of Home Security 21
India Office 19
Inland Revenue 2
Labour, Ministry of 24
National Savings Committee 98
Pensions, Ministry of 2
Post Office 11
Production, Ministry of 15
Supply, Ministry of 136 (b)
Town and Country Planning, Ministry of 5
Trade, Board of 27
Treasury 1
War Damage Commission 2
War Office 530 (c)
War Transport, Ministry of 16
Works, Ministry of 8
Scottish Home Department 7
The staff of the Ministry of Information employed in this country numbers 2719

(a) Includes staff employed in the R.A.F. Film Production Unit and in the Photographic Dark Room.

(b) Includes 69 staff employed in the Publicity and Campaign Branch of the Directorate of Salvage and Recovery.

(c) Includes staff employed on Press conducting, censorship and psychological warfare work and in the Film and Photographic Service: also includes staff required for the Allied Expeditionary Force which is an entirely new commitment.