§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he proposes to take to ensure that the Manpower Services Commission complies with Government policy on reductions in the size of the Civil Service.
§ Mr. MayhewI have agreed with the MSC that it should make significant reductions in its staffing in line with the Government's policy to reduce the size of the Civil Service. I regularly receive information about progress towards achieving these savings.
In addition, in the light of the announcement on 13 May by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of the Government's intention to bring the size of the Civil Service down to about 630,000 over the next four years, I have written to the chairman of the MSC asking for the Commission's views on the implications of a further 8 per cent. cut in the Commission's staff spread over the years 1981 to 1984. Government decisions on the measures required to give effect to this intention have not yet been taken.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees of the Manpower Services Commission have the use of chauffeur-driven cars.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that only its chairman, Sir Richard O'Brien, has the use of a chauffeur-driven car. However, when the car is not being used by the chairman, it is made available to senior officers of the commission on official business.
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§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of people employed by the Manpower Services Commission; how this compares with the position 12 months ago; what are his plans for reducing this number; and what progress has been made in implementing his policy.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it employed 25,863 permanent and casual staff on 1 April 1980 and 26,287 on 1 April 1979. As a result of the exercise announced by the Lord President last year and the further overall reduction of 2.5 per cent. in staff related costs this year, I have agreed with the Commission that they should make savings equivalent to 4,135 staff against the manpower level originally projected for 1979–80.
The composition of these savings has still to be finally settled but a broad timetable has been agreed. As the figures quoted above indicate, some progress towards making these savings has already been made, and I shall be monitoring future staffing figures to ensure that progress has been maintained.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what salary, expenses and other benefits are paid to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe chairman of the Manpower Services Commission currently receives an annual salary of £28,500. When travelling, he receives expenses in accordance with the appropriate Civil Service rates.