§ LORD WELLS-PESTELLasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether non-industrial staff numbers at April 1, 1970, were within the ceiling announced on February 26, 1969, and what limits have been set for the period up to April 1, 1971.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHACKLETON)A precise figure for the strength of the non-industrial Civil Service on April 1, 1970, is not yet available, but it is expected to be well within the ceiling of 496,500 announced on February 26, 1969. I expect that there will be an increase of not more than 7,500 on this ceiling by April 1, 1971; this will be a slightly smaller increase than that forecast for 1969–70. In addition, there will be a transfer to the Civil Service from outside, involving about 1,300 staff in local taxation offices whose functions are to be transferred to the Minister of Transport in consequence of the Vehicle and Driving Licences Act 1969.