§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the non-industrial staff of his Department were absent without authority on 14 May; how many of these hold politically sensitive posts; and if he will take steps to transfer those officials in the latter category to work where opposition to Government policy does not matter.
§ Mr. PymOut of a total of some 118,000 non-industrial staff in the Ministry of Defence, only 260 were absent without authority on 14 May. This was a commendable effort on the part of the vast majority of the staff. National security was not affected and the question of transferring any of the staff concerned does not arise.