HC Deb 24 November 1952 vol 508 c7W
69. Mr. Renton

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken during 1952, and what steps he will be taking in 1953, in order to reduce substantially the administrative costs of his Department.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The functions of the Ministry of Transport are mainly statutory, and to reduce them would necessitate legislation. They have been carefully examined over the last two years and will continue to receive the closest scrutiny. Economies in staff have been effected by stringent reviews of staffing arrangements and by the introduction and extension of improved organisation and methods of work. These jointly have yielded a reduction of some 270 non-industrial staff so far this year; it is expected that some further staffing reductions will be possible next year.