In vs. Of

[hoji]

After adopting broadband internet access, wireless personal digital assistants, and super-fast home PCs, Weston Insurance has hired new employees, which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department working from home.

(A) which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department
(B) doubling to 250 the number of junior staff members in the claims department
(C) which doubles to 250 the junior staff of the claims department
(D) doubling to 250 the number of junior staff members of the claims department
(E) which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department that

I narrowed down the answer choices to B,D. My confusion is:
junior staff in the claims dep. or junior staff of the claims dep.? they both look reasonable to me. What do you say BTGers?

[saketk]

After adopting broadband internet access, wireless personal digital assistants, and super-fast home PCs, Weston Insurance has hired new employees, which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department working from home.

(A) which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department
(B) doubling to 250 the number of junior staff members in the claims department
(C) which doubles to 250 the junior staff of the claims department
(D) doubling to 250 the number of junior staff members of the claims department
(E) which doubles to 250 the junior staff in the claims department that

I narrowed down the answer choices to B,D. My confusion is:
junior staff in the claims dep. or junior staff of the claims dep.? they both look reasonable to me. What do you say BTGers?

I will choose B
we always say -- how many members are there in the department...

But I have no solid reasoning to deny D as well.

Cite the source as well please.

[krishnakumar.ks]

IMO D

We would say members of the administration department or members of the selection committee or the Members of the Legislative Assembly. "Of" sounds better here.

[mad2011]

IMO B

Action has happened "in" department not "of" department.

[bpdulog]

B because of "in."

[mankey]

This looks interesting, since both of and in are used with members.

I think, in this context, "in" will fit in better.

Some expert please respond.

Thanks.

[ranjeet75]

'in' seems better than 'of'

but I have no concrete reasoning.

Shed some light experts

[sam2304]

IMO B. 'in' seems right here.