HC Deb 08 April 1981 vol 2 c303W
Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. Johnston), Official Report, 1 April, c. 127, if he will categorise under occupational headings the 62,966 reduction in local authority manual staff from June 1979 to December 1980, giving if possible the numbers under each heading.

Mr. Heseltine

The change in the total numbers in post, as distinct from full time equivalents, of local authority staff in England and Wales designated as manuals between June 1979 and December 1980, not adjusted for seasonal factors, in each of the relevant joint manpower watch service categories is set out in the following table.

Change No. %
General Services
Education manuals (e.g. caretakers, cleaners, canteen and playing fields staff) -44,062 -8.5
Construction -5,823 -4.9
Transport -699 -3.8
Social Services + 1,175 +0.6
Public Libraries and Museums -114 -1.4
Recreation, parks and baths -8,407 -11.3
Environmental health -995 -10.8
Refuse collection and disposal -1,106 -2.4
Housing +797 +3.9
Town and Country Planning -99 -35.0
Fire Service manuals (e.g. cleaning and maintenance staff) -78 -2.3
Miscellaneous Services* -4,784 -4.8
Law and Order Services
Police Civilians (manuals) +1,007 +7.6
Magistrates' Courts +73 +7.7
Probation Staff manuals (e.g. cleaning staff) +138 +20.5
Agency Staff +11 +4.8
Total -62,966 -5.6
* covers central service departments (e.g. engineers, treasurers) and others not included in listed departments or services, also school crossing patrols, and staff on special functions, trading services, and agriculture and fisheries.