§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how much was cut from the budget of the Manpower Services Commission as a result of the review of public expenditure in 1980–81; and in which precise areas cuts are to be made in the work of the commission as a result of this overall reduction.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe Manpower Services Commission has been asked to reduce its forward forecast 1980–81 by £150 million. I am informed that the commission has not yet considered the application of the cuts in the work of the commission.
799W
§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers and percentages of Civil Service posts which are to be cut in the Manpower Services Commission, detailing in which precise areas the work of the commission is to be restricted as a result of these cuts.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI have asked the Manpower Services Commission to reduce the number of posts by 3,400 by 1 April 1983, equivalent to 12.8 per cent. The commission will shortly consider how this reduction should be apportioned among its various operational programmes.