§ Mrs. Bainasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with current levels of recruitment to the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement indicating the levels of supply and demand for civil servants in the next two years.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morris:Recruitment to certain grades and in certain geographical areas has become markedly more difficult over the past year. This is partly because the number of vacancies, especially for some professional and technical grades, has risen sharply, and partly because the number of suitably qualified candidates has been on the decline. It is becoming more difficult to fill junior posts in London and the larger cities.
As no significant change in the size of the Civil Service is expected, the demand for recruits in the next two years will be related primarily to wastage. Voluntary wastage has been at a relatively high level this year, but it is impossible to predict with any confidence the pattern of the next two years. An increase in the number of civil servants reaching retirement age in the next few years will be a further but less significant factor.
With regard to supply, the number of suitably qualified candidates choosing to seek employment in the Civil Service during the next two years cannot be foreseen.