§ 21. Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what increase or decrease in staff there was in the department under his control in the period 16th October, 1964 to 15th October, 1965; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th April, 1966.
§ Mr. C. PannellA decrease by about 850 between October, 1964 and October, 1965. I am not yet able to forecast the change up to April, 1966.
§ Mr. OnslowCan the Minister tell the House why this disappointing reply reveals his inability—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—to reduce his staff by the 2,000 which he forecast six months ago?
§ Mr. PannellThe hon. Gentleman is not satisfied with anything. In April, 1965, I said that I hoped to reduce the 600 staff by 2,000, but since then my Ministry has had to cope with an increasing load of work, both at home and overseas. This work can be done either by contract or by direct labour, and we have used rather more direct labour than I expected. The level of the industrial staff tends to fluctuate and is affected by seasonal changes. However, we have done rather better than our predecessors.