§ Mr. G. Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the Regional Organisation during the last year for which figures are available; and how many persons it is expected will be engaged whole-time in this organisation during the forthcoming year.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Petersfield (Sir G. Jeffreys) on 14th December last as to the annual cost of the Regional Organisation. Since that date there has been a further reduction of approximately II per cent. in the staff of Regional offices, but in view of the time and labour involved I do not feel justified in ascertaining the precise reduction in annual cost that this has effected. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is estimated that upwards of 1,83o persons will be engaged whole time so long as the danger of air raids continues, after which the staff will be reduced by more than two-thirds.