HC Deb 23 October 1952 vol 505 c137W
78. Mr. M. Lindsay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage reduction has been made in the Civil Service; and what further reduction is contemplated.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The number of non-industrial civil servants was reduced by 10,405 in the first six months of this year. This represents a reduction of 1.5 per cent. Taking the civil departments alone, excluding the Post Office, the percentage reduction was 3.5 per cent. The returns for 1st October, which are now being collected, should show a further reduction, but I cannot at present give any estimate of what it will be.