HC Deb 02 July 1984 vol 63 cc17-8
35. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if, when he next meets representatives of the Civil Service unions, he will discuss the effect of the reduction of the number of civil servants on recruitment.

Mr. Hayhoe

As I have said, my next meeting with representatives of the Civil Service unions will be about the pay and pensions of senior civil servants.

Mr. Chapman

Despite the reduction in the total number of civil servants and in the numbers recruited, will my hon. Friend confirm that about 30,000 new recruits are still taken on each year? Does he agree that in those circumstances there should be no inhibition on obtaining the best people for the variety of important jobs carried cut by the Civil Service?

Mr. Hayhoe

Yes, I confirm that recruitment to the non-industrial Civil Service is running at about 30,000 per year — in 1983, it was 29,300 — although I should emphasise in passing that that is less than half the 1978 figure of 64,700. I assure my hon. Friend that the standard of applicants is high and that there is certainly demand for the places available.

Mr. Madden

What redress will civil servants have if they refuse to transfer and are threatened with suspension without pay?

Mr. Hayhoe

The code of practice and the terms and conditions of employment are all set out in the Civil Service regulations, copies of which are in the Library.

Mr. Michael Morris

Will my hon. Friend bring us up to date on the recruitment of graduates into the Civil Service?

Mr. Hayhoe

A substantial number of graduates are being recruited, often into grades which 20 years ago attracted very few. For example, graduates now form a high percentage of entrants into the executive officer grade.

Dr. McDonald

The Minister referred to an interdepartmental committee being set up to consider the necessity to recruit staff into the Customs and Excise, and elsewhere in the Civil Service, to deal with heroin addiction. The committee is not at the moment inviting any outside views on this important and serious matter. Will the Minister make every effort to ensure that the committee invites the views of interested bodies, to stress the need to control this type of addiction?

Mr. Hayhoe

I shall pass on the hon. Lady's comments to my hon. Friend.