HC Deb 27 January 1986 vol 90 c407W
Mr. Alexander

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of Civil Service posts abolished since 1979; and what are the consequent savings to the Exchequer.

Mr. Brooke

Between 1 April 1979 and 1 October 1985, the number of civil servants fell by 136,511 (an overall reduction of 18.6 per cent.) This represents an estimated net reduction in the pay bill of over £¾ billion.