§ 33. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War the reason for the increase of 577 in the civil staff of his Department during the three months ended 30th September last.
§ Mr. StracheyFive hundred and forty-five out of the extra 577 were employed in Record Offices on checking the addresses and occupations of Class "Z" Reservists.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the Minister aware that he now has a larger civilian staff than any other non-revenue-collecting Government Department except the Ministry of National Insurance, and will he try to reduce the staff within the next quarter, instead of increasing it?
§ Mr. StracheyI think the particular purpose for which these 577 extra staff were employed was one of great urgency, which was pressed from all sides of the House.
§ Mr. A. R. W. LowWill the right hon. Gentleman remember that he told the House, in July last, I think, that this job was nearly completed, and will he say why, if that was so, he still needed 570 extra men at the end of October?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. This particular phase of this job will be completed by 1st January, which is what I said. It was the end of September, not October.