HC Deb 23 May 1980 vol 985 c383W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Younger

The Estimates provision for staff in the Scottish Office, excluding the prison service and the State hospital, was 8,422 and 8,148, respectively, at 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980.

The shortfall of staff in post at each of these dates was about 250 and 260 spread over some 100 grades.

Precise details of geographical location and grades could not be given without incurring disproportionate costs, but the vacancies in established complement lie mainly in the recruitment grades.