HC Deb 10 March 1975 vol 888 cc17-8W
Mr. Gorst

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the number of non-industrial civil servants in the United Kingdom on 1st March 1975 and 1st March 1974.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The number of staff in post on 1st March 1974 was 697,059, of whom 514,659 were non-industrial civil servants.

On 1st January 1975, the latest date for which figures are available, the total was 693,921, of whom 517,030 were non-industrials.

Mr. Gorst

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total annual amount paid in salaries to non-industrial civil servants at 1st March 1975 and at 1st March 1974.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Information for these particular dates is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The provision made in Supply Estimate for salaries to be paid to civil servants during the years ended 31st March 1975 and 31st March 1974 amounted to £1,354 million and £1.287 million respectively, of which £1,066 million and £1,006 million was to be paid to non-industrial civil servants.

Mr. Gorst

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps are currently being taken to reduce the numbers in the industrial Civil Service.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The Civil Service must be staffed to carry out the work which the Government give it to do. Departments exercise stringent control over the numbers of civil servants they employ and regularly have to justify their manpower requirements to the Civil Service Department.