§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe estimated requirements of permanent staff for 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 were 98,619 and 96,337. The corresponding numbers of staff in post were 98,369 and 96,209, and the shortfalls, therefore, 250 and 126 respectively. Without a detailed study it is not possible to say where or in which grades the differences between estimates and staff in post occurred.