HC Deb 20 May 1966 vol 728 cc330-1W
Mr. Onslow

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase or decrease there was in the staff of the Department under his control in the period 16th October, 1964 to 15th April, 1966; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period 16th April to 15th October, 1966.

Mr. Jay

During this period the staff of the Board of Trade increased by 1,323. This increase was mainly due to the fact that the Board gained about 1,800 staff dealing with shipping and related matters from the Ministry of Transport, whilst losing some 800 to the Diplomatic Service, the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Technology and the British Museum. The staff of the Export Credits Guarantee Department increased by 120 in the same period. Further increases of the order of 750 and 30 in the Board of Trade and in the E.C.G.D. respectively are expected by 15th October, 1966. The former figure includes part of the additional staff required under the Industrial Development Bill.