§ 65. Mr. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in, and what is the annual cost of all governmental public relations offices; and, in view of the need for labour in productive industries and for economy in public finances, whether he will abolish those offices and allow the Press to do this work free of charge.
186WOctober, 1946, and is now quoted around 65 per cent. is taken up by official funds; and into which Departmental accounts was it placed.
§ Sir S. CrippsI give below figures of holdings of 2½ per cent. Treasury Stock in official funds which have been published in accounts presented to Parliament under Statute. In accordance with long-established practice, I am not prepared to disclose unpublished holdings of official funds.
§ Sir S. CrippsI presume that the hon. Member refers to the staffs of Information Divisions in Government Departments in this country, but not of the Central Office of Information. The totals provided for in the Estimates for the current financial year, including clerical and typing staff, are approximately 1,103 at a cost for salaries and expenses of £652,500. I am satisfied that the work of these Divisions could not be performed by the Press.