§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Labour if, before the House rises for the Recess, he will indicate what further measures of economy in the administration of his Department he has in preparation for the current year?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAny large economy must be dependent on a reduction in the unemployment figures. But I propose to continue without intermission my efforts to realise every additional administrative economy that becomes possible. Since I replied to my hon. Friend on the 19th July, the staff of the Ministry has been further reduced by 140, representing an annual saving of approximately £22,500, making, with the sum of 2350,000 mentioned in the previous reply, a total annual saving at the rate of £372,500. In other directions economies have been effected on the administrative side by closing a number of offices and concentrating effort in a smaller number of establishments. On the 19th July, I expressed my willingness to place fully before my hon. Friend the nature of these steps.