§ 40. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is now able to make a statement on the Government's policy of reducing the number of civil servants; whether he will announce the range of committees, commissions and advisory bodies whose work is now under scrutiny; what estimates he has made of the number of civil servants who will be declared redundant; what savings will be made in any given year; and to what extent the Industrial Relations Bill will affect these arrangements.
§ Mr. David HowellWe plan to keep the number of non-industrial staff at 1st April this year well below the ceiling of 505,300 set by the previous Government. Manpower requirements beyond that date are at present under review. We will take into account the related points to which the hon. Member refers. Announcements will be made in due course.