§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister why the Cabinet Office staff has increased from 379 at a cost of £474,500 in 1963–64 to 484 at a cost of £809,000 in 1968–69; and, in view of his policy of economising on these types of expenditure, what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to reduce the staff and expenses of the Cabinet Office.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the Government's policy to strengthen the central machinery of co-ordination and to provide, in particular, an improved statistical basis for decision-making. The staff of the Cabinet Office, which, of course, includes the Central Statistical Office, has been increased in pursuit of this policy; and I have no proposals for reducing it.