HC Deb 19 March 1980 vol 981 c234W
Mr. Trippier

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what savings have been made in manpower within the Civil Service since 3 May.

Mr. Channon

Between 1 April 1979 and 1 January 1980 the total number of Civil Service staff in post fell by 24,500.

Mr. John MacKay

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the size of the Civil Service at the most recent convenient date; and what it was on 1 April 1979.

Mr. Channon

At 1 January 1980 there were 707,800 civil servants in post in central government departments. At 1 April 1979 the corresponding figure was 732,300.

Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by how much manpower in the Civil Service increased between February 1974 and May 1979, and since May 1979.

Mr. Channon

Staff in post in central Government Departments increased by 37,900 between 1 January 1974 and 1 April 1979. Between 1 April 1979 and 1 January 1980 there was a reduction of 24,500. Information on staff numbers is collected quarterly at 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. Details are not held centrally for other months of the year.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what further economies he expects to be able to make in the Civil Service during 1980–81.

Mr. Channon

. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 6 December 1979—[Vol. 975, c. 627–401]—and to my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown) on 14 March.