Local Government Staff

HC Deb 11 June 1975 vol 893 cc384-6

3. Mr. Peter Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the total number of administrative employees in local government in England and Wales.

Mr. John Silkin

The latest figures published by the Department of Employment for local government staff in England and Wales relate to June 1974, when the total was 2.44 million. The published figures do not separately identify administrative employees.

Mr. Morrison

Is the Minister aware that there is genuine concern throughout the whole country that there are far too many administrative employees in local government? Will he institute a report in this respect and, if necesary, take action?

Mr. Silkin

I understand the hon. Gentleman's point of view. There is one reservation that I should mention. When one deals with technical staff—for example, planners—it is a little difficult to know quite whether they are there as technical staff or as administrators. They do overflow, as I say. But certainly what we shall be able to do with the new curb—the new watch on local authority manpower, which will he by both central Government and local government together—is to watch the difference between non-manual and manual employees. Perhaps that will meet the hon. Gentleman's point.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will my right hon. Friend give at least some estimate of the increase in planning staff since local government reorganisation? Also, may I congratulate him on his vigorous appearance after last night?

Mr. Silkin

I thank my hon. Friend. The fact is that I have narrowly avoided counting local government administrative officials jumping over red tape. It is a very good way of keeping awake, at any rate. But it is a little difficult to calculate the staff question since reorganisation. I think that I said in answer to an earlier Question that there were movements both ways. However, what I can say is that an essential feature of the 1975–76 rate support grant settlement was that there should be no expansion in staff other than obviously inescapable commitments.

Sir W. Elliott

Is the Minister aware that despite the obvious adequacy of extra capacity in the building industry, Newcastle upon Tyne local authority has recently advertised jobs, technical and otherwise and administrative and otherwise, representing an extra burden of £80,000 a year? Will the Minister use his influence on local authorities to cut down on direct labour organisations in the name of national economy?

Mr. Silkin

This is a very different matter. I am afraid I shall have to disappoint the hon. Gentleman in that regard.