§ Q6. Mr. Stonehouse asked the Prime Minister when he intends to open the new buildings at the Civil Service College.
§ The Prime MinisterIn June, Sir.
§ Mr. StonehouseIn the Prime Minister's speech on that occasion, will he repeat the sections of his famous speech at Eastbourne when he referred to the growth of bureaucracy in municipalities, draw attention to the growth in the non-industrial Civil Service, of 30 per cent. since he became Prime Minister 12 years ago, and explain what he is going to do about this growth of bureacuracy?
§ The Prime MinisterThis question was answered yesterday by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department. In a speech that I made last week—a copy of which I have already placed in the Library—I gave the figures for the 10 years of the 1960s and the first five years of the 1970s, showing a constant increase. I also explained some of the reasons for them, and what the Government are doing about it.
§ Mr. BakerHas the Prime Minister seen that in the White Paper the savings in the Civil Service are expressed in money terms and not in numbers? Does that imply that some of the savings may be made at the expense of restricting the rights of Civil Service pensioners to inflation-proof pensions?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already referred to a speech that I made last week to the Civil Service unions and others. There is a copy in the Library. If the hon. Gentleman studies my speech he will find the answer to his question. I made specific reference to pensions. Yesterday, my hon. Friend the Minister of State was dealing with this matter in some detail.