§ Mrs. Rumboldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what manpower reductions his Department has achieved in 1984–85.
§ Mr. BrittanThe position is as follows:
Staff in post at 1 April 1984 Staff in post at 1 April 1985 Home Office other than Prison Department 9,369 9,252.5 Prison Department 27,077 27,360.5 Total 36,446 36,613 The increase in the Prison Department was due mainly to the recruitment of additional staff required to man new prison accommodation and for work arising from the reduction of the minimum qualifying period for parole.