§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the proposed reductions in the number of civil servants employed in his Department; and what reductions so far have been carried out.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsA total of 120 posts were saved in the Northern Ireland Office in 1979–80 as part of the review of the size and costs of the Civil Service announced on 6 December by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department. I am continuing the search for further savings as part of this programme
Following the announcement about cash limits made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 March, there will be additional manpower cost reductions of the order of 2½ per cent. during the financial year 1980–81. The effects of 269W these reductions, which will not apply to staff vitally concerned with law and order, have not yet been finally determined.
My hon. Friend the Minister of State answered a similar question from my hon. Friend on 17 April about the Northern Ireland Departments, for which I am also responsible. [Vol. 982, c. 722].