§ 39. Mr. Moateasked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the total number of permanent staff employed in Departments of the House and the number specifically allocated to Select Committees at the latest available date and one year previously.
§ Mr. Arthur BottomleyThe total permanent staff in Departments of the House, excluding the Refreshment Department, was 609 on 1 April 1980, compared with 565 on 1 April 1979. The numbers of these staff allocated to Select Committees on the same two dates were 78 and 59, respectively.
§ Mr. MoateDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that when we are urging staff reductions in central and local government, the House should set an example? With the growth of Select Committees and the clamour that apparently exists for the staffing of even Sub-Committees, does it not seem, from the figures that he has supplied, that the most potent law emanating from the House is Parkinson's law?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe present staffing position followed the suggestions of the Procedure Committee, and the Commission takes advice as necessary from the Liaison Committee, which is requested to give it when the occasion arises. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Commission bears in mind the fact that economy is necessary. Wherever possible, it is practised.
§ Mr. PalmerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that if the new Select Committees are to work properly, as was intended by the House, they must have adequate staff?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes. As I have already indicated, the Commission takes advice from the Liaison Committee, and has already had advice from the Procedure Committee.