asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of full-time and part-time staff employed by local authorities in England and Wales and what is the percentage increase since April 1974.

At 12th June 1976, the latest date for which published information is available, local authorities in England and Wales employed a total of 2·57 million full-time and part-time staff including police. This is an increase of 5·4 per cent. on the 2·44 million at June 1974. Employment figures are not available for April 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities on staffing.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Crosby (Mr. Page).