§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Defence how he accounts for the 829W shortage of clerical officers and clerical assistants in his Department; and how many staff vacancies currently exist in these grades.
§ Dr. GilbertThere is no grave shortage of clerical officers and clerical assistants in the Ministry of Defence, as a whole, but there is a problem in London, where wastage is high and recruiting has had disappointing results. We are hoping to rectify the situation by a drive to recruit school leavers that we currently have under way. At present vacancies exist in London for 205 clerical officers and 145 clerical assistants.