HC Deb 04 February 1987 vol 109 cc719-20W
28. Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of manpower savings as a result of the abolition of the Greater London council and metropolitan counties.

Mr. Chope

The Government forecast in November 1984 that 7,000 posts would be saved. Our most recent analysis suggests that some 6,300 posts were saved immediately on abolition as compared with the figure of 7,000 which my right hon. Friend gave on 18 December 1986 on the information then available to him.

I remain confident that the original forecast will be fully realised as the residuary bodies wind down. For example, the London residuary body alone still employs over 3,000 staff.