HC Deb 27 March 1975 vol 889 c258W
Mr. MacGregor

asked 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:

000's
1970 2,162
1971 2,234
1972 2,340
1973 2,454
1974 2,443
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.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked 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.)