§ 9. Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of civilian employees of his Department and the Services, compared to last year and 1964; and what is his estimate of the number for the next two years.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe total on 1st March, 1968 was 356,650. The corresponding figures for 1st April, 1967 and 1st April, 1964 were, respectively, 370,400 and 401,450.
I cannot yet estimate the figures for the next two years because the detailed plans to implement the reduction of 80,000 civilians at home and overseas by 1973 are still being worked out.