§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the totals of staff employed in local government in England and Wales for the years 1970–71, 1972–73 and 1973–74 respectively.
§ Mr. John Silkin:Figures published by the Department of Employment show that the totals of staff employed in local government in England and Wales at mid-June each year from 1970 were:
The figure for 1974 excludes staff transferred to the new water authorities and NHS on 1st April 1974, but includes staff transferred from the NHS on that date.
000's 1970 … … … … 2,162 1971 … … … … 2,234 1972 … … … … 2,340 1973 … … … … 2,454 1974 … … … … 2,443
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the total number of people employed in local government, including water boards, for each of the years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. John Silkin:The nearest comparable figures, based mainly on those taken by the Department of Employment at mid-June each year, are as follows:
Employees of local authorities and water boards —combined total for England 000's 1970 … … … … 2,061* 1971 … … … … 2,128* 1972 … … … … 2,228* 1973 … … … … 2,336* 1974 … … … … 2,353† *Includes 8,000 staff of river authorities. †Includes 54,000 staff of regional water authorities. (This figure has also been influenced by transfers of staff to and from the National Health Service.)