§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants were employed by his Department in May 1979; how many are employed in February 1982; and what has been the percentage change; in each case how many were first division civil servants; and what has been the percentage change in their numbers.
§ Mr. MellorThe Department of Energy had 1,267 staff in post on 1 April 1979 and 1,152½ staff in post on 1 January 1982. This represents a reduction of 9 per cent. Although the term "first division civil servants" is not recognised Civil Service terminology, the number of staff 331W in this Department at principal and equivalent professional grade and above was 246 and 234 respectively. This reduction of about 5 per cent. was made up of a reduction of 14.6 per cent. in administrative grades and an increase of 7.3 per cent. in professional grades.