Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total cost of establishing, maintaining and staffing the Department of Economic Affairs up till the time it was abolished as a Ministry or up till the most recent date for which figures are available; how many persons were employed by it; and how the staff will be redeployed.
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§ Mr. ShoreThe total cost of establishing, maintaining and staffing the Department of Economic Affairs from October, 1964, to September, 1969, was about £6.75 million. Its staff numbered 102 in October 1964, rose rapidly to 416 by April, 1965, thence to a peak of 593 in January, 1968, fell to 554 in May, 1968, and remained at around this figure until October, 1969.
As regards the reallocation of the staff, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given today by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mrs. Ewing).