§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the posts which he announced in his statement of 6 December will be cut will remain in other forms in the public sector.
§ Mr. ChannonVery few.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Minister for the Civil Service what legislation will need to be introduced to implement the cuts in Civil Service manpower announced on 6 December.
§ Mr. ChannonLegislation, other than that already introduced or planned for other reasons, will be required for the conversion of the National Maritime Institute into a non-governmental research association or other industrial research laboratory, and may be needed to change the arrangements for inspection of heavy goods vehicles, depending on what new arrangements are devised following the necessary consultations.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether it remains the intention of Her Majesty's Government to achieve savings of 10, 15 or 20 per cent. in departmental employment of civil servants; and, if so, which.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Government have never had a target for achieving savings in Civil Service staff costs. Throughout the lifetime of this Parliament Ministers698W will be engaged in attempts to achieve greater efficiency and economy in staff levels. A report on the progress we have made so far was made to the House on 6 December. Earlier this summer Ministers in charge of Departments were asked to put forward options for savings in staff costs at the levels of 10, 15 and 20 per cent. so that the consequences could be considered. Savings of 15 per cent. or more in two Departments, and over 10 per cent. in others, were included in the announcement. The next stage will include a number of policy studies in some Departments, such as the Department of Health and Social Security, and reviews of activities already in progress, particularly in the Ministry of Defence and the Department of the Environment.