HC Deb 24 November 1981 vol 13 cc355-6W
Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, whether, in accordance with procedures laid out in the Civil Service Department's guide on non-departmental public bodies, he has recently carried out checks on staff numbers and gradings on the Nature Conservancy Council; and whether these have enabled him to identify areas or savings in expenditure and manpower in either the council or his Department.

Mr. MacFarlane

All executive bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are kept under continuous review. The Nature Conservancy Council has reduced its permanent staff over the past two and a half years by approximately 11 per cent. Its future requirements will have to be determined taking account of the additional responsibilities placed on it by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in accordance with procedures laid out in the Civil Service Department's guide on non-departmental public bodies, he has recently carried out checks on staff numbers and gradings in the Development Commission; and whether these have enabled him to identify areas for savings in expenditure and manpower in either the commission or his Department.

Mr. MacFarlane

All executive bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are kept under continuous review. As far as the Development Commission is concerned, its functions and operation are currently the subject of inter-departmental review. When this has been completed we shall be considering the manpower implications for both the commission and the Department.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in accordance with the procedures laid out in the Civil Service Department's guide on non-departmental public bodies, he has recently carried out checks on staff numbers and gradings in the Sports Council; and whether these have enabled him to identify areas for savings in expenditure and manpower in either the council or his Department.

Mr. Macfarlane

All non-departmental public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are kept under continuous review. The Sports Council submits a quarterly return on staff numbers to the Department, and has recently reviewed its staff numbers and gradings. In the sport and recreational division of the Department the number of staff now in post shows a decrease of 30 per cent. on the staff complement for January 1980.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in accordance with the procedures laid out in the Civil Service Department's guide on non-departmental public bodies, he has recently carried out checks on staff numbers and gradings in the Housing Corporation; and whether these have enabled him to identify areas for savings in expenditure and manpower in either the corporation or his Department.

Mr. Stanley

In accordance with the procedures set out in the Civil Service's guide on non-departmental public bodies, a review of the Housing Corporation is to be carried out next year.

In 1981–82 the corporation has carried out a major reorganisation and restructuring following the introduction of simplified procedures for the scrutiny of Housing Association projects and other changes, leading to a significant reduction of staff in post now compared with a year ago. Further manpower savings within the Department will arise from these changes These manpower savings in the corporation and the Department will result in corresponding expenditure savings.