§ Mr. W. Brownasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will have inquiry made into the staffing arrangements of the Directorate General of Aircraft Production Factories to ascertain the extent to which the staffs of this directorate have increased since its formation; how many of the persons who have resigned have done so through having insufficient work to do; and to what extent the continued deferment of persons of military age remaining in this department is necessary?
§ Mr. HicksThe Directorate General of Aircraft Production Factories was transferred from the Ministry of Aircraft Production to the Ministry of Works on 1st March, 1943. I understand that since its creation in May, 1940, the increase of staff has been as closely as possible related to the growth of work due to the requirements of the Aircraft Production Programme. During 1942 a full examination of the staffing and organisation was made by the Organisation and Methods Branch of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in conjunction with a Treasury representative and a representative of248W Industry and in the result the number of staff employed was generally considered as reasonable. The Minister of Works, however, is having the position reviewed again. Of the persons who have resigned during the last three years, three gave as one of their reasons an insufficiency of work. The continued deferment from Military Service of certain technical staff will also be reviewed.