§ 32. Sir D. Rentonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Government have increased the number of 1115 non-industrial civil servants by nearly 11,000 since 15th October, 1964, at a cost of about £11 millions at a time when manpower is scarce and there is a need to save public money; whether it is the Government's policy to increase or reduce the present strength of the Civil Service; and what attempts are being made to save manpower and expense and improve efficiency by the use of computers and other modern techniques in Government departments.
§ Mr. DiamondAll Government Departments are enjoined to make full use of modern techniques such as computer installations to economise in the use of manpower. The increase in recruitment is to provide the necessary means for carrying out the Government's new policies, and for manning existing essential services.
§ Sir D. RentonWhen there is both a general shortage of administrative manpower and heat in the economy, why do the Government deliberately set such a bad example to other employers as to increase by 25,000 in two years—for that is what it will have been—the total number of non-industrial civil servants employed by them?
§ Mr. DiamondI have already indicated the care which the Government take in examining every single request for additional civil servants and the need to give effect to Government policies which are the wish of the people of this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—upon which an election has been fought and in regard to which we are carrying out our election promises. In the comparable period under the Government of which the right hon. and learned Gentleman was such a distinguished member, the increase was higher.