§ 48. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants the Government, in pursuance of its present economy drive, intends to dismiss and in what order; what will be the estimated saving to the national Exchequer; how will this saving be calculated; and what will be the amount of the co-relative loss to the national Exchequer in Unemployment Insurance, National Assistance and otherwise.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 19th February. The estimated saving to the Exchequer from the abolition of 10,000 posts is £5million per annum. It is calculated by reference to number of posts saved and to the average annual emoluments of civil servants. I have no reason to believe that there will be any significant loss to the Exchequer of the kind suggested in the last part of the Question.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that this is victimising a very useful section of the community in a very unfair, unjust, and perfectly futile way, and will he reconsider it?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. It has always been part of the policy of Her Majesty's Government to economise where we think it reasonable and fair, and in this case I am quite satisfied that this economy has been carried out in the fairest way possible.