§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the increasing size of the administrations of local councils and regional authorities, he will issue guidelines to ensure that priority is given to reductions in the executive structures before manual staff and social workers are made redundant.
§ Mr. John SilkinIt is the responsibility of each local authority and regional water authority to determine the administration and work force it requires to meet its statutory duties and obligations. Guidance about local government manpower has, however, been issued by my Department in its Circular 129/75 and 45/76, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.