§ 45. Mr. Spenceasked the Prime Minister if he will now say what has been the result of the review of the numbers employed in national and local government, indicated in Cmd. 7046, Paragraph 120 (vi.); and whether the assumed reduction is taking place.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)As regards national Government staffs, I shall be making a statement in the very near future. As to local government staffs, my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland have arranged for circulars to go to all local authorities, drawing attention to this passage of Cmd. 7046 and inviting them to effect the maximum economies (consistent with the discharge of duties resulting from Government policy); it is too early yet to say what reductions will result.
§ Mr. SpenceCan the Prime Minister give an assurance that the 13,000 snoopers which his Ministry is employing are really necessary?
§ The Prime MinisterMy Ministry has no snoopers.
§ Mr. William ShepherdIs the Prime Minister able to say that he is confident that he will get results from the local authorities, unless the central Government set an example first of all?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that both will do their best.
§ Major BruceWould it not be a good thing for private industry also to set a good example in these manpower economies in the administrative grades?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly.