§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce a Staffwatch System similar to that run by the Department of the Environment; and what other measures he has taken to prevent the unnecessary proliferation of local and national government officials.
§ Mr. William RossA Joint Staff Watch System has now been set up, and the first returns of staff numbers will be collected in respect of the quarter ending 31st March. I have stressed in recent circulars to local authorities and on other occasions, the importance the Government attach to restricting the number employed in local government.
Measures being taken in respect of central Government staff in my Departments were announced in the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Mr. Fairbairn) on 12th November 1975.—[Vol. 899, cols. 602–3.]