§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Trade what economies in the use of public funds have been achieved by his Department within the past three years; and what sums have been saved as a result.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisMy Department seeks at all times to be cost-effective in its use of public funds. Substantial economies have been achieved by, for example, transferring financial responsibility for aviation security to the owners of airports, and by the measures for savings on manpower and related expenditure which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department announced on 29th July 1976.—[Vol. 916, c.383–4.] There have also been some fortuitous savings due to expected commitments being delayed or reduced. The exact amounts saved cannot be calculated with precision, however.