asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants are now employed in his Department at Cardiff; what recent reduction in numbers has taken place; and what further reductions are contemplated.

A total of 1,600 permanent staff, or about two-thirds of the total staff of the Welsh Office, were employed in Cardiff on 1 April 1980, a reduction of 64 since 1 July 1979. Further staffing reductions are envisaged but it is not yet possible to give a precise figure for the total at Cardiff.