HC Deb 23 May 1980 vol 985 cc479-80W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Nicholas Edwards

The information is as follows:

1 April979
Staff Establishment 2,686
Permanent staff in post. 2,607
Shortfall 79
1 April 1980
Staff Establishment 2,505
Permanent staff in post 2 481
Shortfall 24

At 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 the net shortfall was spread across 21 and 25 different grades respectively. With the exception of one clerical officer vacancy in the London office at 1 April 1980, all the vacancies occurred in Wales.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if any of the 235 staff savings in his Department announced on 6 December 1979 have yet been made; and, if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades and in which geographical regions.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Yes. The target reduction for 1980–81 towards the total saving of 235 has already been achieved.