HC Deb 21 November 1994 vol 250 c16W
Mr. Mandelson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what redundancies are being made in the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

The Government expect civil service manpower to fall significantly below 500,000 over the next four years. The Government's aim has been, and will continue to be, that reductions in the size of the civil service should as far as possible be achieved without redundancies. But the scale of the changes in prospect raises the possibility that, in some areas, some redundancies will be unavoidable.

Wherever possible, these will be dealt with on a voluntary basis. There will be full consultation with staff and unions as appropriate.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines he has issued to Departments that use private sector consultants to advise on whether civil service functions should be privatised.

Sir George Young

General advice on the use of private sector consultants is contained in a booklet produced by HM Treasury entitled "Seeking Help from Management Consultants", published by HMSO in 1990.

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