HC Deb 27 November 1980 vol 994 c127W
Mr. Bowden

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what plans the Government have for reducing the size of the Civil Service.

Mr. Channon

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 13 May that the Government

Department Staff in Post at 1 April 1979 Staff in Post at 1 October 1980 Target Staff in Post at 1 April 1984 (Rounded to nearest 100)
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 13,956 13,406 11,600
Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments 126,905 115,938 102,600
Defence 247,660 235,226 200,000
Education and Science 2,647 2,571 2,200
Employment Group 53,652 50,912 49,000
Energy 1,267 1,222 1,100
Environment and Ordnance Survey 56,039 49,360 41,400
FCO/ODA 12,078 11,605 11,100
Health and Social Security 98,369 97,917 87,700
Home Office 33,490 34,924 34,900
Industry 9,514 9,120 7,300
Lord Chancellor's Departments 16,518 16,370 16,000
Lord President's Departments 12,957 12,289 9,100
Scottish Office 11,119 10,911 10,000
Trade, Office of Fair Trading and Export Credits Guarantee Department 9,940 9,458 8,400
Transport 13,908 13,291 10,700
Welsh Office 2,607 2,388 2,200
Other Departments 9,723 10,167 9,700
Contingency margin 15,000
Totals (rounded) 732,300 697,100 630,000