§ Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Economic Warfare how many civil servants who were selected at the outbreak of war for transfer to his Department because of their previous experience on trade statistical work, etc., have now been transferred away from his Ministry; what was the reason for such transfers; and whether he is satisfied that the efficiency of the Ministry has not been lessened by the loss of trained and experienced staffs?
§ Mr. CrossThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is that eight clerical officers and four super-clerical officers have been transferred from 1019W the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Economic Warfare. Eleven of these officers were temporarily lent by the Board of Trade at the outbreak of war, and they have been returned at the request of that Department owing to pressure of work there; the remaining officer had become redundant owing to reorganisation. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.