§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that there are between 600,000 and 700,000 males and about 150,000 females over 65 years of age engaged in industry, he will offer to apply
348Wsimilar increases were authorised in other Departments in which a corresponding decrease in subordinate staff and volume of work took place?
Mr. GUINNESS:The figures given are correct. The increase in the number of permanent officers of the rank of principal clerk and above was authorised by the Treasury as necessary for the effective organisation and supervision of the work and the proper control of the large expenditure with which the Ministry is charged. It has been accompanied by a considerable decrease in the number of temporary posts of similar standing, and has resulted in much economy in the cost of administration. A great part of the increase involved no addition to the personnel, 29 of the additional posts being due to the scheme of regrading of the Civil Service drawn up in 1921, but not applied till 1922. It may be added that the Departmental Committee in 1921 drew attention to the shortage of senior staff in certain branches. No comparison with other Departments on the lines suggested is possible.