asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Home Office staff have been diverted from their ordinary duties for work in connection with air-raid precautions; and what steps are being taken to make good the gaps thus created in existing Departments?

Amongst the Home Office staff now employed on work connected with air-raid precautions there are 66 officers who were formerly employed on other branches of Home Office work. The consequential vacancies have been or are being filled by ordinary methods of Civil Service recruitment.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there has been no reduction in the staff of the factory inspectorate?

I should like notice of that question.