§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Minister of Health whether he replied to the War Cabinet letter of 20th November last asking for an estimate of reduction of expenditure in his Department; and what reduction he proposes to make?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir; but the Ministry of Health was only established in July last; and, on taking over the existing functions and staffs of the Local Government Board and the Insurance Commission, was given new and extended functions under the Ministry of Health Act and the Housing Acts, which obviously made it impossible to reduce the staff. Every effort, however, has been made, to the satisfaction (as I understand) of the Treasury, with whom the 917W detailed reorganisation of the staff was worked out, to secure the utmost economy in the staffing arrangements.