asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the number of persons employed in the Control Commission, British element, in May, 1946, and at January, 1947.

The figures were 22,265 on 1st May, 1946, and 26,280 on 1st January, 1947.

Can the Minister explain to the House why, whenever there is a reduction in staff promised, it is followed by an increase? Can he say what is the principle on which he is working?

I think that it has been explained sufficiently on numerous occasions, that the establishment was originally cut from 42,000 last year to 26,000, and it has again been cut to 20,000. We have never, until recently, reached the 26,000 figure, but, as I have explained, there have been additional duties attached to the Control Commission for other Departments and these have increased the staff. In fact, the figure of 26,280 includes 2,300 additional people engaged on extraneous work to that of the Commission, and 2,000 military personnel who will be replaced by civilians.

Is it a fact that the staff has been reduced to 20,000?

The staff has now been reduced to 21,879.