§ Mr. Onslowasked the President of the Board of Trade what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of the Department under his control since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.
§ Mr. JayThere has been an increase of 10,045 in the Board of Trade and of 149 in the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The former figure includes the transfer to the Board of about 1,800 staff from the Ministry of Transport dealing with shipping and related matters and of 8,613 from the Ministry of Aviation, of whom 2,160 are seconded to the British Airports Authority, and the transfer of some 800 staff from the Board to the Diplomatic Service, the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Technology and the British Museum. It is not possible to give a forecast for October, 1967, until decisions are taken on the Estimates for 1967–68.