§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have already been taken at official level towards finding an extra 1,000 civil servants for a possible Scottish Assembly; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe White Paper (Cmnd 6348) gave a gross estimate of extra staff of about 1,000, including 200 for the Assembly itself. This estimate is being examined in the light of the development of planning for devolution and of the savings in the staff of my right hon. Friend's Department which will arise from the reductions in public expenditure already announced. No decisions have yet been taken on how the net requirement for extra staff will be met.