HC Deb 04 March 1952 vol 497 cc205-6
48. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked 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. Butler

As 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. Hughes

Does 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. Butler

No, 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.