§ 58. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there are 39 higher executive officers in his Department as compared with 33 in 1951–52.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe increase of six in the number of higher executive officers in the Scottish Home Department is offset by a reduction of three in the number of assistant principals, so that the net increase in these partially interchangeable grades is three.
One of the three additional posts has been added to provide for continuous staff inspection which is necessary to secure the most efficient use of manpower: the remaining two are required because the Department has become responsible for the common services in the new government offices at Old Saughton.
§ 60. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there are now three Parliamentary Joint Under-Secretaries of State for Scotland instead 185W of two in 1951–52; and why the Scottish Office needs five assistant principals instead of three in 1951–52.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe case for the appointment of a third Parliamentary Under-Secretary was discussed and accepted when the Bill for the Ministers of the Crown (Parliamentary Under-Secretaries) Act, 1951, was before Parliament. The appointment of the additional Under-Secretary and of the Minister of State necessitated the assignment of two additional assistant principals to my Department's private office.