§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 18 January 1982, Official Report, c. 79, what are the latest figures available
At Mid-year 1979 1980 1981 1982 Thousands Change between 1979 and 1982 Defence 314 323 334 324 +10 National Health Service 1,197 1,228 1,264 1,287 +90 Civil Service 724 700 684 659 -65 Other central government 84 76 77 76 -8 Local authorities 3,060 3,027 2,966 2,931 -129 Public corporations 2,065 2,038 1,867 1,759 -306 TOTAL public sector 7,444 7,392 7,192 7,036 -408 Source: Information is to be published in the February edition of Economic Trends except for the Civil Service figures (Source: Her Majesty's Treasury).