§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of the Department under his control since October 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.
§ Mr. MacCollBetween 16th October, 1964 and 15th October, 1966 there was an increase of 446. This figure is net after deduction of the 268 staff transferred, with their responsibilities, to my114W right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Land and Natural Resources.
I cannot at this stage predict what changes there will be over the next twelve months but staff numbers are bound to increase as the work of the Department continues to expand and when there is a redisposition of the functions of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources.