HC Deb 25 March 1983 vol 39 cc510-1W
Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many professionally and scientifically qualified staff there were in his Department in May 1979 and at the latest available date; and what proportion of the staff cut in his Department consisted of scientifically and professionally qualified staff.

Mr. King

The figures are as follows:

1 April 1979 1 January 1983 Reduction Per cent. b/a
Total staff (including PSA) 50,412 37,551 12,861 (a) 23
Professional and technical and scientific groups 12,918 9,978 2,940 (b)

Many other staff in the Department hold professional qualifications, but information on all of these cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.