§ Mr. David Howellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works by how much the direct building force in his Department has changed in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has for further reductions.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe numbers employed each year, which largely reflect the considerable changes which have taken place in the Ministry's workload over this decade, were as follows:
1st April, 1959 13,780 1st April, 1960 13,222 1st April, 1961 13,135 1st April, 1962 12,412 1st April, 1963 40,263 1st April, 1964 40,422 1st April, 1965 38,971 1st April, 1966 38,078 1st April, 1967 37,421 1st April, 1968 36,739 1st April, 1969 35,240 The future size of my direct labour force will be determined by the application of the new policy which I announced to the House on 20th May [Vol. 784, c. 241–3]. It is too early to say what the effect of this will be.