§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air (1)how many civilian employees of his Department there were in the Federation to Malaya on 1st January, 1957; and approximately how many it is planned that there shall be on 1st January, 1958, and 1st January, 1959, respectively;
(2)how many civilian employees of his Department there were in Singapore on 1st January, 1957; and approximately how many it is planned that there shall be on 1st January, 1958, and 1st January. 1959, respectively;
(3)how many civilian employees of his Department there were in Hong Kong on 1st January, 1957; and approximately how many it is planned that there shall be on 1st January, 1958, and 1st January, 1959, respectively.
Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingThe number of locally engaged civilians employed by the Air Ministry in these areas on 1st January, 1957, was as follows:
Federation of Malaya … 2,047 Singapore … 7,071 Hong Kong … 958 It is not yet possible to say how these figures will be affected by the new defence policy; but we shall give as much notice of reductions as we can.