12 July 2002
In his first appearance before the Commons' public administration select committee, Sir Andrew Turnbull stressed that a limit on numbers would be too inflexible.
He said: 'Do you want a situation where a minister says there is some new piece of work, there is somebody I want to do it, but I can't have them unless we sack someone else or get new legislation?'
Turnbull, who has no staff of his own until he takes over officially on September 2, expanded on his plans to overhaul the Cabinet Office.
Admitting that the prime minister was 'impatient' for change, Turnbull said: 'I don't think he is saying that nothing has happened. But he wants a greater degree of urgency. He definitely wants to up the pace.'
PFjul2002
