§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Prime Minister what is the Government's target for the reduction of overall public sector manpower during the life time of the present Parliament; and whether she is satisfied with the progress so far.
§ The Prime MinisterPlans for the Civil Service were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 17 November— [Vol. 48, c. 554–58.] The aim is to reduce the Civil Service to about 593,000 by 1988—a reduction of 139,000 on the 1979 figure.
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§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside(Mr. Parry) on 8 December.—[Vol. 50, c. 220.]