HL Deb 09 July 1946 vol 142 cc294-5
LORD BROUGHSHANE

I beg to ask the second question standing in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, what is the total number of civil servants now employed by the State, differentiating clerical from industrial workers; what were the comparable numbers in 1938; and what further staff will have to be employed in connexion with the Government's proposals for bread rationing.]

LORD PAKENHAM

My Lords, the number of civil servants in Government Departments on 1st April, 1946, was 695,950 as compared with 374,819 on 1st April, 1938. The number of industrial workers employed on 1st April, 1946, was 426,610 as compared with 204,445 on 1st April, 1938. I understand that the increase in the staff of the Ministry of Food in connexion with the scheme of bread rationing on the lines at present under consideration would be between 1,500 and 2,000 at local food offices. A larger number of additional staff would be necessary for a month or two at the outset while the scheme was being inaugurated. The increase of staff outside the local food offices would be negligible.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

I thank the noble Lord for his explanation but could he say whether there was any additional increase of staff in the office of the Ministry?

LORD PAKENHAM

The answer with which I have been supplied I should think would be correct, because these answers are carefully worked out. As far as I know, the increase outside the local food offices would be negligible, and I hope the noble Lord will be good enough to accept that as a reply.

LORD ALTRINCHAM

Could the noble Lord help me on this point, that is, as to whether the 1,500 or 2,000 supplementary workers who have been taken into local offices are engaged for a long period or upon what terms of service?

LORD PAKENHAM

Perhaps the noble Lord would wish me to communicate with him privately, or if he wishes to receive a public answer perhaps he would put a question on the Paper.

The LORD CHANCELLOR acquainted the House that the Clerk of the Parliaments had laid upon the Table the Certificate from the Examiners that the further Standing Orders applicable to the following Bill have been complied with:

Glasgow Corporation;

also the Certificate that no further Standing Orders are applicable to the following Bill:

West Midlands Electricity Authority Provisional Order;

and also the Certificate that no further Standing Orders are applicable to the following Bill:

Banbury Corporation.

The same were ordered to lie on the Table.