§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were employed by his Department in 1979 and for each subsequent year; what estimates have been made on the effect of changes in staff numbers upon the efficiency of his Department; and he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe number of staff employed by the Department of the Environment (Central) since April 1979 is:
271W
Number 1 April 1979 12,358 1 April 1980 11,654 1 April 1981 10,962 1 April 1982 8,802 1 April 1983 7,813 1 April 1984 6,605 1 April 1985 6,561 1 April 1986 6,521 The overall reduction of 5,837 (47 per cent.) between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1986 has been achieved by a number of means:
Per cent. Hiving off 1,698 29 Privatisation 255 4 Contracting out 338 6 Transfers to other departments 1,141 20 Other savings 2,405 41 5,837 100 The 2,405 "other savings" reflect a sustained drive to reduce costs and improve efficiency.