§ Mr. Asshetonasked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what was the number of staff during the last Session of Parliament compared with the Session 1938–39.
§ Mr. McEnteeIt is difficult to draw comparisons between the two periods as the conditions of employment in each period differed. In 1938–39 Session the department had only nine full-time permanent staff, 26 staff who were paid approximately half wages during the Christmas and the Summer Recesses, the remaining labour being to some extent casual, inasmuch as they were paid only when the House was sitting and were discharged during the Christmas and August Recess. The total numbers employed on 5th August, 1939, was 109. During the last Session of Parliament the number of full time or permanent staff was approximately 135 weekly, plus 12 part time staff, making a total of 147.