Non-Industrial Staff

HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 cc379-80

59. Mr. Renton

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the non-industrial staff of his Department increased in number by 483 between 1st July and 1st October, 1953

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

The increase of 483 included 311 staff previously classified as industrial and now re-classified as non-industrial. The balance of 172 are recruits to fill vacancies including successful candidates from a recent competition for draughtsmen.

Mr. Renton

As the present size of the civil staff of the Admiralty is now at the large figure of 33,500, will my right hon. Friend say whether he intends to take any steps to reduce the size of this Department?

Mr. Thomas

I have been cutting down very severely the clerical side—those who are irreverently called the "pen pushers." Many men are taken up in re-armament and by our research and development and construction departments.