HC Deb 09 December 1952 vol 509 c26W
80. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reduction in the staff of his regional organisation he is proposing to make, in view of the fact that there was no regional organisation before the war.

Mr. H. Strauss

The present work of the Board of Trade makes a regional organisation necessary, but my right hon. Friend is determined to keep its numbers as low as possible. Notwithstanding additions to its work, its numbers have been continuously reduced and have fallen from 1,484 to 775 in the period since November, 1947.