Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 4 July to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes), (1) whether he has any plans to offer civil servants premature voluntary release packages as part of his plans to reduce the number of MOD civil service staff;
(2) what are the grades of civil service jobs that are due to be eliminated, and the numbers in each grade;
(3) whether he has plans to make compulsory redeployments of MOD civil servants;
(4) what plans he has to make MOD civil servants redundant; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what discussions he has had with civil service trade unions regarding his planned reductions in the size of the civil service;
(6) what agreements have been reached with civil service trade unions regarding his planned reductions in the size of the civil service;
(7) what plans he has to allow MOD civil servants to transfer to other areas of the civil service.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkOn 4 July representatives of the departmental trades unions were informed about our plans for a reduction in the size of the MOD headquarters. The trade unions were invited to comment on the plans in accordance with agreed consultative procedures. They are also being consulted about reductions in civilian staff outside headquarters under "Options for Change", as our plans develop. It is intended to bring about the required reduction in numbers by a variety of means, including a reduction in recruitment, natural wastage, transfer to other Government Departments if possible, and voluntary early retirement. Where necessary, civil servants in mobile grades will be expected to honour their mobility obligation. Everything possible will be done to avoid compulsory redundancy, though this may not be possible for all grades. Further work is continuing to identify the precise numbers and grades affected.