HC Deb 04 February 1958 vol 581 cc958-9
15. Mr. John Hall

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the reductions in the non-industrial and industrial Civil Service staffs since October, 1951.

Mr. Amory

Between 1st October, 1951, and 1st October, 1957—the latest date for which figures are available—reductions in Civil Service staffs totalled 52,899 non-industrial and 7,569 industrial.

Mr. Hall

Despite this welcome report, is my right hon. Friend quite sure that Parkinson's law is still not operating throughout the Civil Service, despite the assurance given me by the Leader of the House two years ago that Parkinson's law has been offset by Newton's law and that what goes up must come down?

Mr. Amory

I believe that Parkinson's law has been repealed.

Mr. Wilson

Yes, but whilst it has been repealed in the Civil Service, is the right hon. Gentleman sure that Parkinson's law is not applying in many other spheres of the national life which are non-productive, and will he say how many of the people who have left the Civil Service have gone into non-productive trade associations, price rings or the advertising profession, which are adding nothing to our national product?

Mr. Amory

If the right hon. Gentle-thinks about it, I believe he will realise that it would be difficult for me to give the specific information for which he has just asked.