§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will transfer an official from his present duties in his Department with a view to seeking out possible areas where economies can be made in his Department's spending and for formulating plans for implementing economies.
§ Mr. CroslandAll aspects of departmental expenditure are already under close scrutiny.
§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in studying his Department's estimates with a view to making economies.
§ Mr. CroslandI would ask the hon. Member to await completion of the current annual review of public expenditure.
§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost to the Exchequer and the total increase in local government staff levels since March 1974 as a result of the requirements of new legislation and departmental circulars initiated by his Department since that date.
§ Mr. John SilkinThis information is not available and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.