§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will set in hand studies into the possibility of increased civilianisation within his Department with a view to saving costs.
§ Mr. PattieThe far-ranging studies which I have in hand with a view to saving administrative costs in the Ministry of Defence include reductions in both civilian and Service posts.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he makes of the savings which would be made by the transfer of tasks presently carried out by Service personnel to their civilian counterparts.
§ Mr. PattieThe studies to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) are intended to identify possible savings in civilian and Service posts but do not have within their terms of reference the financial consequences of the transfer to civilians of certain Service posts.