HC Deb 27 October 1952 vol 505 cc170-1W
85. Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why his legal department employs 18 persons as compared with 14 a year ago.

Mr. Nutting

There has been no actual increase of staff. Certain duties previously performed by the German Departments have been transferred together with the staff concerned, to the department of the legal adviser. The staff so transferred consists of one senior legal assistant and three clerks.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why four more persons are employed in his political departments than a year ago.

Mr. Nutting

The staff of the political departments of the Foreign Office necessarily fluctuates with the political situation and the volume of work arising from it. Although the estimates for 1952–53 show an increase of four as compared with the estimates for the preceding year, economies have since been effected and the comparable figure for 1st October, 1952, shows a reduction of 20 in the staff of the political departments.