§ Sir L. Lyleasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in building up the personnel of the Overseas Trade Department for the post-war export drive; and from what sources it is proposed to fill the remaining vacant posts.
§ Mr. DaltonThe staff of the Department of Overseas Trade, which fell to about 100 in January, 1943, now numbers 230. As my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) was informed on 15th February, steps are now being taken to increase this figure to 299. Some of the vacancies will be filled by the return of staff lent to other Departments and others by appointments of persons with previous commercial experience.