Can the Minister assure the House that there will not be any further reduction of staff in this vital area of accountability? Has he any proposals to extend staff available to the Comptroller and Auditor General who has requested this on a number of occasions?

As I have pointed out, the Comptroller is at present in the process of recruiting additional staff which will bring the number to 91. Some of that staff will be freed from existing duties because of the cessation of the audit work in connection with the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs——

That is repetition.

He did not see fit to recruit the temporary staff which had been sanctioned some months ago and there are a number of other options which could be used by the Auditor if he is experiencing particular difficulties. The matter is being monitored and kept under careful observation.