asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many clerical and other white collar workers were employed in his Department on 1st January 1973, 1st January 1974 and 1st January 1975, respectively.

The numbers of nonindustrial staff employed on these dates were as follows:

1st January 1973	…	…	33,033
1st January 1974	…	…	32,217
1st January 1975	…	…	18,256

The 1st January 1975 figure includes the staff of the Health and Safety Executive. The reduction in figures between 1974 and 1975 is due to the creation of the Manpower Services Commission and its agencies.