§ 85. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what reductions in his staff are contemplated as the result of nationalising the coal, electricity and gas industries.
§ Mr. RobensResulting from nationalisation of the coal industry, the staff of the Ministry has been reduced by approximately 850 of all grades. Prior to nationalisation governmental functions in electricity were mainly exercised not by my Department but by the Electricity Commissioners. Under the Electricity Act, the Electricity Commissioners will be dissolved and their functions will be divided between the Ministry and the British Electricity Authority. Approximately 80 of the Commission's staff will be transferred to the Ministry—and the remaining 40 to the British Electricity Authority. I am not yet able to say what the position will be on the nationalisation of the gas industry.