§ 36. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister for the Civil Service in respect of the period of 17 months, July, 1970 to November, 1971, inclusive, what reduction he has achieved in the Civil Service's numerical strength and in consequential costs to public funds from such reduction; and what are his further plans to reduce it.
§ Mr. David HowellThe size of the Civil Service depends upon the amount of work it is required to carry out. We have made reductions in staff, but these have been counterbalanced by increases required mainly to meet demographic growth, more widespread social benefit payments and higher requirements for prison personnel. Future manpower requirements of the Civil Service are under review.