§ 41. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of recent evidence submitted by Professor James to the Town and Country Planning Association to the effect that estimated requirements of professional planning staff, excluding London, had gone up from 4,281 to 8,176, he will issue a circular to local authorities encouraging them in the interests of economy to reduce staff complements by seeking, if necessary, a reduction in their functions.
§ Mr. OakesI regularly urge on authorities the importance of manpower economy, and as part of the 1975–76 rate support grant settlement local authorities should provide for no expansion in present total staff numbers beyond the small increases necessary to meet inescapable commitments.