§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the decision of the Crown Agents to make available £1.53 million for the early retirement of its staff.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThis is a matter for the board of the Crown Agents. I understand however that the Crown Agents, in order to improve their efficiency, have been and are taking steps to restructure their administration and reduce staff costs. Staff reductions, which totalled some 10 per cent. in 1980 with a further 9 per cent. expected in 1981, have been achieved by a combination of natural wastage and early retirement. £1,533,000 has been set aside by the Crown Agents in their 1980 accounts to meet the cost of lump sum and annual compensation payable up to 1988 to employees who voluntarily accepted early retirement in 1980.