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50.
Mr. Robert Atkins
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the progress being made in local government to reduce staffing levels.
Mr. Heseltine
Between June and September 1979 the number of local authority employees fell by 0ยท4 per cent., on a seasonally adjusted basis. I hope that this represents the start of a reversal of the upward trend in local authority employment.
55.
Mr. Durant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to take powers to require the publication of staff numbers by individual local authorities.
Mr. Heseltine
I shall be able to require the publication of this information under the powers I am seeking in the Local Government Planning and Land (No. 2) Bill.