§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the manpower savings that have already been made in each of the Northern Ireland Departments; and if he will provide an estimate of the further savings which he intends to make during the forthcoming financial year.
§ Mr. John Patten:The manpower savings that have been made in each of the Northern Ireland Departments since May 1979 are as follows:
Agriculture 287 Civil Service -7 Commerce 55 Education 81 Environment 742 Finance 226 Health and Social Services -86 Manpower Services 160 PCC/PCA 1 E & AD -11 Total 1,448 (The minus figures represent net increases in staff which some Departments have been allowed to make in response to specific demands).Because of the planned reorganisation affecting some Northern Ireland Departments it is not possible to provide a breakdown of estimated Departmental savings in 1982–83. Overall savings of about 700 are expected. The savings achieved so far are in line with the manpower targets for 1 April 1984, which are based on comparability with United Kingdom Departments that exercise similar functions.
In addition, there have been savings of almost 1,800 staff employed by the Departments of Agriculture and Environment as part of the urban and rural improvement campaign.