§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what decisions he has taken about manpower numbers after 1984 for the Northern Ireland departments.
§ Mr. PriorI have reviewed the manpower requirements of Northern Ireland Departments up to 1988 and I have decided on the following targets:
1.4.84 1.4.85 1.4.86 1.4.87 1.4.88 25,400 25,350 25,200 24,900 24,700 Our aim is to improve the efficiency of the Civil Service and to match staff numbers closely to the necessary functions of Departments. The figures will be reviewed each year as part of the regular expenditure survey to take account of changing work load and other developments.