§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many staff and what work is involved in the transfer to his Department of responsibility for the maintenance of the Air Ministry and War Office; and what is the cost to his Department.
§ Mr. RipponDetails of the transfer are still being worked out, and I cannot yet give definite figures. The total value of work, including new works, is of the order of £125 million a year. There are at present some 6,300 professional and technical staff engaged on this work, and other non-industrial staff whose numbers have not yet been determined. Industrial staff number about 36,000, including people locally engaged overseas. I cannot yet estimate the annual cost of staff who will be transferred.