§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister for the Civil Service what proposals he has to limit or reduce the responsibilities of his Department.
§ Mr. ChannonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member 265W for Norwich, South (Mr. Garrett) on 10 December 1979—[Vol. 975, c. 478]—in which I gave details of reductions in many of the functions carried out by the Civil Service Department. As announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13 May 1980—[Vol. 984, c. 1050]—detailed plans are now being drawn up for further simplification, increases in efficiency and concentration on essential functions. These are still at a preparatory stage.