§ 70. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any figures to show the rate at which the Government is reducing departmental staffs; and whether it is proposed further to reduce the number at present employed?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe rate at which the staffs of Government Departments are being reduced may be inferred from the following figures which cover the period 1st June, 1921, to 1st June, 1922:—
188 These figures, which include throughout staff, numbering 25,000 now transferred to the Governments of Northern and Southern Ireland and engaged on reserved or agency services in Ireland, show a total reduction within the dates mentioned of 36,000. Every endeavour is being, and will continue to be made to reduce staff so far as is consistent with the performance of necessary functions, and it is expected that further reductions will be effected during the course of the year.
1st June, 1921 … … 385,853 1st September, 1921 … … 377,950 1st December, 1921 … … 365,250 1st March, 1922 … … 357,447 1st June, 1922 … … 349,847