§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, what is the staff of the National Service Ministry; what is the cost to date or the estimated cost per annum; is the advertising agent for the Ministry an American; and what is his remuneration?
§ Mr. BECKMy right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. The staff of the National Service Department at headquarters and in the country numbers 692. Of these, 175 are volunteers, unpaid, and 13 receive subsistence allowance only, whilst 20 are lent by other Government Departments. This number, 692, includes a large temporary staff engaged in the enrolment of volunteers. The cost of the staff to date is £6,000, and 749W the estimated cost of the present staff per annum is £65,000 per annum. Further costs would depend on the course of events, and it is not possible at present to estimate them. The advertising agent is an American citizen resident in England this last thirteen years. His remuneration is £750, and he has succeeded in placing National Service advertisements through the advertising agents without any charge for commission by any of them.