HC Deb 27 February 1976 vol 906 cc368-9W
Mr. Arthur

Lewis asked the Prime Minister what was the total number of staff employed in his Department for each of the past 15 years and the salaries paid on an annual basis for that period; and to what extent the Government's proposed economy cuts will reduce these numbers and financial costs.

The Prime Minister

The number of staff employed in my office at 10 Downing Street on 1st April of each of the years 1968 onwards and the annual cost of the salaries for each financial year from 1968–69 to 1974–75 are as follows:

My office is staffed by the Civil Service Department and the proposed economy measures will be considered in relation to the Department as a whole. The precise effect of the measures is being examined but cannot yet be quantified in terms of staff and financial savings. My office will of course co-operate to the fullest extent necessary to achieve the Department's share of the Government's target for the reduction in size and cost of the Civil Service.