§ 21. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of non-industrial civil servants at the latest convenient date; how these figures compare with those of two years ago; and whether he expects them to rise or fall by this time next year.
§ Mr. MacDermotExcluding the Post Office, 430,274 at 1st April, 1966. On a comparable basis there were 413,723 at 1st April, 1964. A further rise is expected.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman recall his party's promise, contained in its election manifesto, to streamline the Government? Is not the streamlining buckling a little?
§ Mr. MacDermotNo, Sir. We are making full use of modern techniques, but the growth of the Civil Service is a natural result of the need to implement 1203 the Government's new policies, apart from the growth which, results from existing policies.
§ Mr. OnslowCan the hon. and learned Gentleman say by how much the Civil Service is still under establishment?
§ Mr. MacDermotNo, Sir, not without notice.