HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 cc917-8
28. Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish the most recent figures of the number of civil servants.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The most recent figures available relate to the position as at 1st October 1975. As I told the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 24th November 1975, the number of staff in post at that date was 719,145.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

Will my hon. Friend confirm that, contrary to what is suggested by the many recent attacks that have been made on the Civil Service, the increase in size is directly related to the country's economic conditions, the decisions taken by the Government and decisions taken by the House?

Mr. Morris

My answer to each of the three supplementary questions posed by my hon. Friend is "Yes". On the reference he made to attacks on the Civil Service, a new national sport of clobbering the Civil Service is emerging. I accept that the Civil Service should be subject to continuing scrutiny, and welcome it, but some of the unjustified attacks that I have recently read in the national Press and listened to on the media are having an adverse effect on the morale of the Civil Service.

Mr. Gow

Does the Minister accept that the widespread criticism to which he referred is directed not against the Civil Service but against the Government who employ the civil servants?

Mr. Morris

I suppose that everyone can put his own gloss and interpretation on the scale of criticism recently levelled against the Civil Service, but the individual civil servant feels that he is the target for much of the unjustified criticism.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Will my hon. Friend reply to charges of gross overmanning of the Civil Service and, at the same time, comment on the Opposition demand for an increase in defence expenditure while demanding a reduction in public expenditure?

Mr. Morris

My hon. Friend has made a valid point. As to the charge that the Civil Service is overmanned, its staffing is related to the demands and tasks imposed on it by the Government and, indeed, by Parliament itself.

Mr. Whitelaw

Is that not exactly the case also with local authorities? What gloss would the hon. Gentleman put on the remarks of his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in his constant talking about Chiefs and Indians in local government?

Mr. Morris

Local government is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.