§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of employees in his Department in each of the last five years, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr.Patrick JenkinThe total number of permanent civil servants employed in the Department on 1 January each year since 1976 is as follows:—
1976 91,563 1977 94,495 1978 96,900 1979 97,642 1980 95,392
§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings in personnel employed he has been able to achieve in his Department since his appointment.
§ Mr.Patrick JenkinBetween 1 May 1979 and 1 January 1980, the number of permanent civil servants employed in the Department fell from 98,323 to 95,392. This reduction of 2,931 will be partially offset over the next few months as additional staff are recruited for the intensified effort against fraud and abuse and for an anticipated rise in demand-led work. I intend to continue to search for staff savings by reducing other work, by dropping unnecessary functions and by seeking greater efficiency.