HC Deb 28 January 1970 vol 794 cc1524-5
6. Mr. Lane

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of staff employed by his Department before and after the 1969 reorganisation, respectively.

Mr. Mason

The number was 18,354 before and 16,275 after the changes in Departmental responsibility announced in October.

Mr. Lane

Do these figures represent a reduction of staff which is proportionately more than or less than or about the same as the reduction in responsibilities?

Mr. Mason

The responsibility of Ministers has increased since the 2,000 civil servants left the Department; we also lost a Minister of State.