asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he will give details of recent resignations from his staff, and the respective reasons assigned?

Apart from clerical, typing and minor grades, seven officers have tendered their resignations from the Ministry since 25th October. Of these, two left to join His Majesty's Forces; one as a result of re-organisation; one to return to Australia; one in response to a request from his former employers and two for private reasons.

Did any of the private reasons expressed to the hon. Gentleman include the fact that there was no work for them to do to justify their receiving their salaries?

No, Sir; the private reasons were, of course, private.

While appreciating that privacy must be maintained, can my hon. Friend say how many of these officers have resigned because of the fact given by them that there was no work to justify their receiving their salaries?

I have already said that the reasons given were private, and I have no reason to believe they were of the kind the hon. Member suggests.