§ Mr. Nottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total number of people now employed by his Department, compared with the total number of people of the underlying Departments which together were joined to make his present Department at the time of its formation; and what plans he has to bring about a reduction in personnel in his Department in accordance with Government policy.
§ Mr. Ridley24,550 non-industrial and 1,679 industrials on 1st April, 1971, compared with 24,645 and 1,727 on 1st November, 1970. The ending of the investment grants scheme will lead to substantial staff savings, and we expect other savings to be found as a result of the review we are making of a number of the Department's activities.