§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the number of Civil Service staff on 1st January 1977; and how this figure compares with the figures on 1st January 1976 and 1st January 1975, including the percentage increase or decrease.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe 1st January 1977 figure will not be available until mid-February. Until then the latest available figure is that for 1st October 1976.
The figures for 1st January 1975, 1st January 1976 and 1st October 1976, with the percentage increases, are:
1st January 1975 693,921 7.4 per cent. increase 1st January 1976 745,120 0.1 per cent. increase 1st October 1976 746,107 The 1st January 1976 figure includes 20,862 staff of the Manpower Services Commission and its Agencies, which were not part of the Civil Service on 1st Janu- 550W ary 1975. If the increase due to the change in status of these staff is disregarded, the percentage increase between 1st January 1975 and 1st January 1976 is 4.4 per cent.