§ 10. Sir R. Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many officers and staffs of the existing Welsh local authorities have been appointed to posts with the new county and district councils in the Principality ; and what is his estimate of the number of Welsh local government officers and staffs who are still seeking such employment.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI regret that this information is not available. However, the staff order, now being drafted, will ensure that all staff employed by existing local authorities on 31st March 1974 will be employed by a new authority on 1st April 1974.
§ Sir R. GowerIs my right hon. and learned Friend able to comment on reports that some of the new county councils are finding it impossible to recruit key personnel at the top level? Second, can he comment on the allegation, which has certainly been made to me, that, whereas the redeployment of senior officials is going reasonably well, it is not quite so satisfactory at lower levels?
§ Mr. ThomasSpecific employment is being arranged only with key officials. As my hon. Friend appreciates, 99 per cent. of people working in local government will be employed under the Act in April 1974 by a new authority. I know that these are matters of great importance to those concerned with local government, and I know also that they appreciate the work done by the staff commission.
§ Mr. HoosonHas the Secretary of State made revised estimates of the cost of this reform of local government, since Parkinson's Law is rife in it, and have he and his Cabinet colleagues investigated what contribution it is making to our inflationary position?
§ Mr. ThomasIt is an important question, and I know that everyone will be anxious for the local authorities to take heed of the need to keep costs down as much as possible.