§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the estimated costs of £1 million for his staff include the 171 National Economic Development Office staff and administration; what is his estimate of these costs in the current year; and what action he has taken or intends to take to reduce this staff and the costs of his Department.
§ Mr. ShoreThe 1969–70 Estimates include £1,163,000 for the salaries of the staff of my Department. Separate provision of £520,000 is made for the salaries of the staff of the National Economic Development Office. The work and staffing requirements of both my Department and the National Economic Development Office are kept under close review and there is no present intention of reducing them.