HC Deb 10 December 1945 vol 417 c5
10. Lieutenant W. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the total numbers employed in these Ministries on 1st May, 1945, and 1st December, 1945.

Mr. Wilmot

The numbers of non-industrial civilian staff employed on 1st April, 1945 —the nearest date to 1st May, 1945, for which figures are available —were 60,751 in the Ministry of Supply and 21,470 in the Ministry of Aircraft Production, making a total of 82,221 in the two Ministries. I regret that the comparable figures for 1st December, 1945, are not yet available.

Lieutenant Shepherd

Can the Minister give the figures for the nearest available date?

Mr. Wilmot

Yes, Sir. The nearest available date was 1st November, and I have answered a question giving those figures. The figures were 46,995 by the Ministry of Supply and 19,530 by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, making a total of 66,525.

Mr. Gammans

Will the Minister explain what he means by "non-industrial," and give the number of industrial workers employed?

Mr. Wilmot

I cannot do so without notice. Industrial workers are people who work in industrial occupations in the factories. Non-industrial workers are the others.

Lieutenant Shepherd

Does not the Minister agree that the drop in the total number of personnel employed is insufficient in view of the decline in the function of these Ministries?