GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS: PROPOSED STAFF REDUCTION

HL Deb 11 November 1976 vol 377 cc855-6WA

Lord VAIZEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the proposed percentage reduction of staff (excluding museum staff) in the Departments of the Environment and Education and Science respectively in future financial years.

Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is considering proposals to reduce by April 1978 the complement of the Department of Education and Science (excluding museums) by 10 per cent. In the case of the Departments of Environment and Transport my right honourable friends are considering a total reduction in forecast staff costs in the two Departments of £13.4 million by 1978/79. The effect of this in terms of staff numbers for these Departments has still to be determined.