§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Transport what is the establishment of staff of the British Waterways Board, and what is the number at present in post in the United Kingdom, and in each region; and what were the corresponding figures on 31st October, 1964, and 30th May, 1965.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI understand from the Board that it would be misleading to give establishment figures, since the undertaking has—as explained in the Board's Annual Report—been in the process of reorganisation during the period to which the question relates. The number of the Board's employees, as at 31st October, 1964, and 28th May, 1965, was as follows:
Area Number 31st October, 1964 Employed 28th May, 1965 South (including Head-quarters Staff) 1,707 1,714 North 1,694 1,640 Scotland 164 151 3,565 3,505 These figures cover all employees, except dock workers allocated daily from the National Dock Labour Board's pool. There has been no significant change between 28th May and the present.
§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Waterways Board to recruit suitable staff replacements following the internal reorganisation of the Board, which necessitated the transfer of its offices.
§ Mr. Tom FraserNo. This is a matter of internal management. I understand, however, that the Board's policy is to recruit suitable staff to such vacancies as cannot be filled by redeployment and promotion within the undertaking.