§ Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of officers employed in the Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Labour who are eligible for first-class travelling expenses in connection with the discharge of their duties; and what is the approximate annual cost to the State in this connection?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe number of officers employed by the Ministry of Pensions who are eligible for first-class railway fare for journeys on duty is 602; and of those employed by the Ministry of Labour 817. A further much smaller number are eligible for first-class fares when no second class is available. The extra annual cost in the Ministry of Pensions is estimated at £6,000 to £7,000; it is not possible without undue labour to estimate the amount in the Ministry of Labour.