§ 35. Sir W. Darlingasked the Minister of Health the cost of the issue of identity cards annually; how many officers are 211 employed in connection therewith; and at which centres in Great Britain and-Northern Ireland are records kept.
§ Mr. BevanIt is not possible to state separately the total number of persons employed in the National Registration service, or the total cost, since the local offices are also food offices, and the same staff does both classes of work. Records are kept at Southport, Edinburgh and Belfast, where a staff of approximately 1,000 is employed at a cost of £235,000 per annum.
§ Sir W. DarlingArising out of that unsatisfactory answer, could I have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that he will take steps to abolish this system, which was set up by the last Government, and which is now not necessary in peacetime?
§ Mr. BevanI have explained before, that I, personally, find the use of an identity card repugnant, but such cards are very serviceable and must be retained while they are of some use.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownIf it be the case that there are 1,000 servants of the State employed in the various offices at a total cost of £235,000, does the right hon. Gentleman really regard £235 per head, as a proper figure to pay for the retention of these cards?