§ 28. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Health what savings have now been effected as the result of abolishing identity cards.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is estimated that as a result of the discontinuance of national registration the saving on the Vote for the Registrar General's Office for 1952–53, is about £1 million, including the cost of national registration staff in local offices. The additional cost to the Ministry of Health of maintaining the National Health Service Central Register is estimated to be some £150,000 per annum. Some additional expense will also be incurred by other Departments.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIn the answer which he has just given, did the Minister refer to the saving in staff that is being effected?
§ Mr. MacleodNo, I did not. I have not the details, but there has been a considerable saving in staff both as a result of the abolition of the local offices and as a result of the reduction of staff at the central office in Southport.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCould the right hon. Gentleman give the saving of the staff, or shall I have to put down another question?
§ Mr. MacleodI should like the hon. and gallant Gentleman to put down another question, because I took this one to be purely financial.