§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Prime Minister if she will state (a) the total savings effected by Sir Derek Rayner so far and (b) the total savings envisaged during the lifetime of the present Parliament as a result of Sir Derek Rayner's activities; and if she will express both as a percentage of total current Government expenditure.
§ The Prime MinisterSavings from firm decisions so far taken by Ministers on the results of scrutinies and reviews carried out in 1979 and 1980 by Departments with the help of Sir Derek Rayner are around £100 million a year and £28 million once-for-all. Of the recurrent savings, £39 million will be achieved in 1981–82. Further savings of around £110 million a year are dependent on decisions yet to be taken by Ministers and the outcome of consultations. The total of savings decided and still to be decided is equivalent to 0.2 per cent. of Government current expenditure, and nearly 3 per cent. of the provision484W in 1981–82 Supply Estimates for Civil Service pay, superannuation and supporting services. Savings from future scrutinies cannot be predicted.