In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question, five temporary officers are each being paid at the rate of £450 a year to perform duties entirely distinct from those undertaken by the permanent officers seconded from the Board of Trade.

The answer to the second part of the Question is that none of the permanent officers in question is working under the five temporary officers referred to in the Question. In regard to the third part, the answer is in the affirmative. The temporary officers concerned possess high technical and academic qualifications in statistics and have made a considerable financial sacrifice in accepting employment by His Majesty's Government at the rate which they are now paid.

With regard to the fourth part of the Question, I am satisfied that none of the permanent officers referred to by the hon. Member have the knowledge and experience necessary to enable them to undertake the duties performed by the temporary officers concerned.