§ 25. Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Lord Privy Seal what is his latest estimate of the total number of people working (a) full-time and (b) part-time in the House of Commons; and what was the comparable figure five years ago.
§ Mr. BiffenOn 1 April this year there were 772 full-time staff and 157 part-time staff in post in House Departments. The comparable figures on 1 April 1981 were 745 and 154 respectively. The number of people holding passes as Members' secretaries or research assistants is currently 1,165, of whom 429 are classified as temporary. No comparable figures are available for 1981.
§ Mr. BruinvelsI thank my right hon. Friend for revealing some illuminating figures. As we work in a village atmosphere, and as there appears to be a growth industry in part-time and full-time employment, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is no abuse of the allocation of passes or of the vetting system to bring in research assistants? May I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the number of temporary passes that are issued on a daily basis for people who come to do repairs in or around the House or for research assistants from America who are, perhaps, not doing the work that is expected of them?
§ Mr. BiffenMy hon. Friend will appreciate that on 29 January this year the House had a most rigorous debate about research assistants and what was a legitimate 698 number. The House took a certain view, which I know will not have been congenial to my hon. Friend. One tries to secure a proper control over numbers and have regard to security aspects, although there is a convention that we do not talk about security on the Floor of the House.
§ Mr. WinnickAlthough the Leader of the Housecould not agree publicly, is he aware that a large number of people believe that we would be far better off as a country if the Prime Minister worked part-time instead of what she is doing now?
§ Mr. BiffenThe hon. Gentleman must have used the whole of the past fortnight to crank up that highly original comment. I am absolutely worsted for words. I am sorry.
§ Mr. HindHas my right hon. Friend had the opportunity today to read a report published on the number of letters and items that are received by Members of Parliament? Is he aware that each Member of Parliament receives about 10,000 letters a year? As a consequence, will he consider the need to increase the amount of secretarial and research assistance that should be made available, especially to hon. Members who represent areas of high unemployment?
§ Mr. BiffenAs my hon. Friend will appreciate, that is a matter for separate consideration, since I have made it clear that the secretarial allowance will be further reviewed.
§ Mr. Simon HughesDoes the Leader of the House have available now, and if not, could he publish later, the figures by Department of those who applied for full-time jobs in the House now and live years ago?
§ Mr. BiffenI am not sure whether that information is available, but I shall certainly investigate, and if it is I shall publish it.
§ Mr. StokesIn case my right hon. Friend gets the matter out of proportion, did he read recently in the newspapers that hon. Members in the main have received only one or two letters each about the present position in South Africa?
§ Mr. BiffenI admire, as ever, the shining ingenuity of my hon. Friend. I do not think that his question can conceivably arise from the question tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Bruinvels), but I am sure that he makes a fair point.