§ 11. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Defence what recent action he has taken to reduce the staff employed in his 1209 Department, and to reduce the cost of administration; and to what extent these efforts have proved successful.
§ Mr. SandysI have not yet got round to that.
§ Mr. LewisCan the Minister be a little more forthcoming and tell us what he anticipates doing? Is he in fact going to make some economies? Is he going to take some action to cut down the Department, and if he does, will he consider reducing the forty-five major-generals, and putting them in the ranks, perhaps?
§ Mr. SandysIn his Question the hon. Member referred to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence is a small Department, and I am at the moment after rather bigger fish.
§ 12. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Defence the total number of staff employed in his Department in February, 1952, as compared with the latest convenient stated date; and what the total salary and wage bill was on these two stated dates.
§ Mr. SandysThis perhaps will give the hon. Member the Answer he wanted. In February, 1952, the number of staff borne on the Ministry of Defence Vote was 1,247. Salaries and wages amounted to £900,000. The corresponding figures for February, 1957 are 1,175—a reduction—and £1,200,000.
§ Mr. LewisFrom that it would appear that there has been a reduction in staff, and yet an increase in the salary bill. Can we understand why? [HON. MEMBERS: "The cost of living".] I am asking whether we can have an explanation, as there really should not have been any salary increases because there has been no increase in the cost of living, according to what we have been told by the Government. Why, then, the salary increases?
§ Mr. SandysIt is almost entirely due to increases in the pay of civil servants which were awarded during that period. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] They were awarded because there had been a very 1210 long time-lag in increases of pay to civil servants.