§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what economies will be effected in the staff of the Admiralty as the outcome of the provisions of the London Navy Treaty?
§ Mr. AMMONSo far as can be seen at present there are no provisions in the Naval Treaty which will have the effect of diminishing the administrative work of the Admiralty. I hope, however, to continue the policy of steady reduction of 2157W the numbers of staff which has been in force for several years past, as a result of constant and painstaking review of the organisation and methods of work of the Department.
§ Mr. DAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state whether any reductions have been made in the staff at the Admiralty for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what was the amount of reduction in salaries during that period?
§ Mr. AMMONThere has been a net reduction of 32 in the total staff borne on the 1st April, 1930, as compared with the numbers borne on the 1st April, 1929. There was a slight increase, amounting to about £5,000, in the quarterly cost of Admiralty staffs borne on the 1st January, 1930, as compared with the numbers borne on the 1st January, 1929, these being the figures available for the nearest corresponding dates. The reason for this increase is generally set out in the explanation of differences to the Navy Estimates for 1930, and is, as there stated, accounted for by progressive increases of salary, increases in emoluments to certain grades consequent on an award of the Industrial Court, increase of cost-of-living bonus, etc.