§ Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Supply if can give particulars about the reduction in staff which it is proposed to make in his Department; to what extent it will be applied rigidly to scientific and technical staff as well as to industrial staff; and whether, before any reduction of the former takes place, there will be any discussion with the Government scientific advisers.
§ Mr. SandysHaving regard to the necessity for economising man-power, a review of the non-industrial staff of this Ministry is being undertaken with a view to making substantial reductions. It is, of course, not intended to adopt any rigid rule-of-thumb in the distribution of the cut between the various branches. It is not proposed to make any general reduction in the scientific and technical staff employed in the research and development establishments. The scientific advisers of the Ministry have naturally been closely consulted on this matter.