Manpower (Hansard, 23 April 1980)

§ 56. Mr. John Patten
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the size of the Civil Service on 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980, respectively.

§ 60. Mr. Latham
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made so far in reducing the size of the Civil Service.

§ Mr. Channon
At 1 April 1979, there were 732,300 staff in post in Government Departments. The corresponding figure for 1 April 1980 is 705,100.

§ 57. Mr. van Straubenzee
asked the Minister for the Civil Service by how much he expects to reduce Civil Service manpower over the next four years.

§ Mr. Channon
I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 6 December 1979.—[Vol. 974, c. 627–40]. It is difficult to make forecasts in this field, but the general trend is clearly downwards.

§ 64. Mr. Hooson
asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Government Departments have achieved staff reductions since 4 May 1979.

§ Mr. Channon
Since 1 April 1979 there has been a reduction of over 27,000 in the total number of staff in post in Government Departments. Reductions have occurred in all major Departments with the exception of the Home Office, where the increase reflects the priority the Government attach to prisons and to other law and order services.
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§ Mrs. Renée Short
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the total numbers of civil servants employed by each Government Department at the latest convenient date; and what percentage increase or decrease these represent from May 1979.

Department Staff in post (full-in time equivalents) 1April 1980 Percentage increase/decrease from 1April 1979(+ or -)

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 13,800 -1.4%

Customs and Excise 27,200 -1.5%

Inland Revenue 78,300 -7.5%

Department for National Savings 10,400 -3.7%

Ministry of Defence 218,000 -3.0%

Royal Ordnance Factories 21,800 -5.3%

Department of Employment Group 50,000 -5.4%

Department of the Environment (including PSA) 48,300 -8.0%

Department of Transport 13,600 -2.0%

Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Overseas Development Administration 11,600 -4.2%

Home Office 34,100 +1.8%

Lord Chancellor's Department 10,000 -2.0%

Scottish Office 11,000 -1.5%

Department of Health and Social Security 96,200 -2.2%

Other departments 60,100 -2.1%

Total (rounded to nearest 100) 705,100 -3.7%

Department	Staff in post (full-in time equivalents) 1April 1980	Percentage increase/decrease from 1April 1979(+ or -)
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	13,800	-1.4%
Customs and Excise	27,200	-1.5%
Inland Revenue	78,300	-7.5%
Department for National Savings	10,400	-3.7%
Ministry of Defence	218,000	-3.0%
Royal Ordnance Factories	21,800	-5.3%
Department of Employment Group	50,000	-5.4%
Department of the Environment (including PSA)	48,300	-8.0%
Department of Transport	13,600	-2.0%
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Overseas Development Administration	11,600	-4.2%
Home Office	34,100	+1.8%
Lord Chancellor's Department	10,000	-2.0%
Scottish Office	11,000	-1.5%
Department of Health and Social Security	96,200	-2.2%
Other departments	60,100	-2.1%
Total (rounded to nearest 100)	705,100	-3.7%