§ 41. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give details of the 16 additional staff employed by his Department between 1st April, 1955, and 1st April, 1956; the work undertaken by these 16 employees; and the salary or wage-scale in each instance.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. W. F. Deedes)The particulars of the increases in regional staff are: 10 Civil Defence directors, the senior representatives of the Home Office Civil Defence department in the provinces with inclusive salaries of £2,100—subject to deductions for posts outside London—and 6 extra clerical and typing staff on rates of pay varying from £286 13s. to £516 per annum.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the recent Civil Defence exercise that has been taking place, when the general in charge said that it was a waste of time, may I ask whether the Joint Under-Secretary of State Is convinced that the money is being wisely spent? Is this part of the Government's policy of cutting down expenditure or is it in fact further expenditure, which we are beginning to find is quite frequent now under this Government?
§ Mr. DeedesMy right hon. and gallant Friend is satisfied that the appointment of the regional directors has done a great deal to increase the efficiency of Civil Defence administration in the regions.