HC Deb 17 November 1953 vol 520 cc133-5W
53. Colonel Gomme-Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for War why an estimated increase of £11,002,000 is required for 1953–54 to defray the expenses of civilians employed in the War Office.

Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison

It has been our policy to cut down as far as possible the number of soldiers employed on jobs which could be done by civilians in the services and depots of the Army. In addition, there has been an increased requirement for employees in the services owing to increased deliveries of equipment under the rearmament programme. For these and other reasons the number of civilians employed by the Army has increased. The cost has been further increased by higher wages.

56. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for War why an increase of £923,064 in the cost of civilian industrial staff at Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' establishments at home is estimated for 1953–54, when the total number of that staff is expected to be reduced.

Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison

Any comparison based on the Estimates figure for 1952–53 is misleading because at the time when the 1953–54 Estimates were being prepared it was known that the money provided for these particular civilians in the 1952–53 Estimates was proving inadequate. If allowance is made for this fact, the increase between the two years is appreciably less than the figure quoted in the Question and is attributable mainly to provision for wage increases.

57. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for War why an additional 2,095 civilian industrial staff for Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' establishments abroad in 1953–54 at a cost of £553,497, are considered necessary.

Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison

There is a good deal of equipment at overseas stations which, instead of being brought back to this country for repair, can be repaired in Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' workshops there and put into use again. The bulk of the additional staff overseas is needed for this work, mainly in the Far and Middle East. There is also extra cash provision for higher wages.