HC Deb 29 July 1982 vol 28 cc613-4W
Sir Hector Monro

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of staff in post in central Government Departments on 1 July.

Mr. Hayhoe

At 1 July 1982 there were 659,300 in post—523,200 non-industrial and 136,100 industrial; that is a reduction of 7,100 since 1 April 1982. Since the Government took office the number of civil servants has fallen by 73,000 or 10 per cent.

Sir Albert Costain

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the review of senior posts in the Civil Service.

Mr. Brittan

The review announced to the House on 1 December last has now been completed. All Departments have reviewed their senior posts. Copies are being placed in the library of a report by the Treasury summarising the proposals which have been made.

The Government have adopted these proposals. Almost all will have been implemented by 1984. They will mean a reduction since the Government came into office of 156 in the number of posts in the Home Civil Service at under-secretary level and above. This represents nearly 20 per cent. more than matching the reduction in the total size of the Home Civil Service over the same period. Most of the reductions will be by natural wastage, but some early retirements are needed. Reductions which have been or will be made in equivalent posts in the Diplomatic Service in this country are six out of 31 such posts—nearly 20 per cent.—and in equivalent posts held by senior officers of the Armed Forces 36 out of 217—17 per cent.

The Government intend to maintain the tauter staff structures established by this review. The report sets out arrangements for keeping senior posts under regular review in future.

Implementation of these proposals will entail some changes in working practices, and will mean that Ministers and senior officials more frequently deal with and receive advice from people of middle or junior rank. The Government believe that besides reducing the number of senior civil servants, the changes should also bring benefits to efficiency and economy in administration by checking the tendency for business to be handled al a higher level than is warranted by its importance or difficulty.

The Government wish to acknowledge the hard work and co-operation of senior civil servants of the open structure in this review and in the changes which it brings.