asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent the staff of his Department will increase or decrease during the next 12 months.

The published estimate provides for the staff to increase by 25.

In view of the fact that by his Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer is already going to push prices through the roof during the next few weeks and is therefore making the work of the Department abortive in this respect, and bearing in mind the fact that the Minister of Labour is now, quite properly, taking back his own functions of wages, what justification is there for this increase in staff?

The hon. Gentleman may be very pleased to know that, in view of some of the considerations he has mentioned, it may not be necessary for us to increase our staff to this extent.