§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what economies in open structure grade civil servants employed within his Department are now being sought.
§ Mr. AitkenCurrent plans involve a reduction in excess of 20 per cent. at grades 1 to 3 between 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1995. This does not take account of the outcome of the defence costs studies, which may result in further reductions.
§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the London-based open structure grade civil servants employed in his Department have been made redundant since the 1990 prospect study; and what savings resulted.
§ Mr. AitkenMy Department's policy is to minimise, through pre-redundancy measures, compulsory redundancies in civilian staff at all levels. As a result, there have been no compulsory redundancies in members of the open structure in London or elsewhere, but some 200 members of the open structure have left under early retirement schemes.