Directorate of Work Study

Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 February 1957.

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Photo of Mr Geoffrey De Freitas Mr Geoffrey De Freitas , Lincoln 12:00, 6 February 1957

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers have been established as a result of the introduction of the Director of Work Study; and what economies in manpower have resulted.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing:

Seventy officer posts are at present established in our work study organisation. The work which is being done follows on from the excellent work done by the Manpower Utilisation Committee and the Manpower Research Unit. The hon. Member will understand that it is not possible to isolate manpower savings due directly to the formation of the Directorate of Work Study.

Photo of Mr Geoffrey De Freitas Mr Geoffrey De Freitas , Lincoln

While it is not possible to isolate them in that way, cannot the Under-Secretary give us some indication of the savings due to this scheme? Also, what about the widespread feeling amongst senior officers as a result of the establishment of this unit that they can leave to this unit all questions of manpower economy instead of regarding it as part of the normal day-to-day functions?

Mr. Orr-Ewing:

I am afraid I am not in a position to give numbers at present, because the Royal Air Force is changing owing to re-equipment and changes in the front line, which makes it impossible for me to compare like with like. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the work of this Directorate is additional to the normal machinery for controlling and examining the establishments of different units throughout the Royal Air Force.