HC Deb 29 October 1946 vol 428 c448
53. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many type-writers, comptometer adding machines and duplicating machines, respectively, are used in Government Departments.

Mr. Dalton

Forty-two thousand typewriters, 19,450 adding and calculating machines, of which 450 are comptometers, and 20,300 duplicating machines.

Sir W. Smithers

Is this not further evidence of the tendency towards more bureaucratic control, and sheer waste of public money?

Mr. Dalton

We need many typewriters and calculators to answer the hon. Member's Questions.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Is the Chancellor aware that these machines are also extremeiy necessary for those who have to prepare official returns to His Majesty's Government? Can he not spare some for private business?