§ Mr. GOULDasked the Lord Privy Seal the number of people employed at the Ministry of Shipping on 31st December last, and the cost of the Department for the three months ending 31st December last; how many of these people were dismissed, or will be dismissed, when this Department is finally merged into the Board of Trade; and what the actual saving per month in salaries and expenses is expected to be?
Colonel WILSONI have been asked to reply. The total headquarters staff of the Ministry of Shipping on 31st December was 804, and the cost of this staff for the three months ending 31st December was £42,483. It is estimated that on 31st March, when the Ministry comes to an end as a separate Department, this staff will have been reduced to about 680, costing about £11,800 per month. This reduction in staff and in cost will continue as the work decreases.