HC Deb 08 July 1948 vol 453 cc573-4
51. Mr. Keeling

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the total number of non-industrial civil servants on 1st July, 1948; and the number by which this total exceeds or falls short of the total on 1st July, 1947 and 1946, respectively.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I regret that figures for 1st July, 1948, are not yet available. At 1st April, 1948, the total number of non-industrial civil servants was 693,403, 12,265 fewer than at 1st April, 1947, and 5,032 more than at 1st April, 1946.

Mr. Keeling

May we take it from that that the promised efforts of the Government to effect a substantial reduction in the number of civil servants have not had the success which it was hoped they would have?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I do not think the hon. Member should read that into the figures I have given.

Mr. Tiffany

Do those figures include civil servants employed in the new social insurance services?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Only in so far as they have been appointed.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some idea of what proportion of this increase can be definitely attributed to the set-up of the new insurance offices in Newcastle?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The statement should be in the Vote Office this afternoon and perhaps it would be better if my hon. Friend waited until he could see the full figures, both for the Department he has in mind and for others.

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