Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the total number of staff employed in his Department on 1 May 1979 and the total staff costs, with similar details for 1 January; and what action he proposes to take to reduce the costs of administration in his Department during the current year.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1980, c. 723]: The number and cost of staff employed in the Treasury were:

Staff in post:
1 May 1979	…	…	…	1,024½
1 January 1980	…	…	…	987½
Cost:
May 1979	…	…	…	£575,000
December 1979	…	…	…	£595,000

I expect to make further reductions in posts in 1980 following abolition of exchange control and other specific measures. Efforts to improve efficiency and reduce waste will continue.