In March 1983, the latest month for which figures are available, it is provisionally estimated that 128,000 persons, in full-time equivalent terms, were employed by local authorities in Wales. This figure is 4,400 or 3·4 per cent. lower than that for the corresponding month of 1979. Nevertheless, it is clear that the search for manpower economies must continue if local authority current expenditure and rates are to be held to levels the country can afford.