asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the number of civil servants in his Department increased from 5,529 to 5,593 between 1st January and 1st April, 1954.

The increase is due to the seasonal increase in the work of the Passport Office which each year necessitates the engagement of temporary staff at this time.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend say whether that means that the staff has been reduced since the end of the first quarter?

The time for the discharge of this temporary staff will be later in the year.