§ 26. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why the cost of his Department has increased from a provision in the estimates of £2,467,000 in 1967–68 to one of £2,965,000 in 1968–69; what increases in staff he contemplates making in 1968–69; and why.
§ Mr. DellThe main increases occur in the National Board for Prices and Incomes and the office of the National Economic Development Council for124W which the Department has Vote responsibility.
The Estimate for the Department of Economic Affairs (Class I Vote 4) covers expenditure not only by the Department of Economic Affairs but also by the National Economic Development Council and the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The increase of £498,000 between the original estimate for 1967–68 and the estimate for 1968–69 is due to a variety of reasons, the principal ones being as follows:
(1) Department of Economic Affairs—increase of £80,000.
The increase is mainly due to increased salary costs and reflects increases in London Weighting, improvements in the pay of the messengerial and typing grades, increased National Insurance, and the employment of additional research staff on regional planning. The estimate for 1967–68 provided for 569 staff on 1st April, 1967, rising to 574 by 31st March, 1968: the estimate for 1968–69 is based on a staff of 592 on 1st April, 1968, decreasing to 587 by 31st March, 1969.(2) National Economic Development Council—increase of £142,000.
The increase is mainly due to the larger programme of research work being carried out by consultants and others on behalf of the Economic Development Committees and to the cost of additional staff required to service the growing work programme of the E.D.C.s. The estimate for 1967–68 was based on a staff of 150: the estimate for 1968–69 is based on 171 staff on 1st April, 1968, increasing to 178 by 31st March, 1969.(3) National Board for Prices and Incomes—increase of £276,000.
The increase is mainly due to additional staff to deal with the increased activities of the Board. The estimate for 1967–68 was based on a staff of 140 at 1st April. 1967: the estimate for 1968–69 is based on 220 staff at 1st April, 1968. increasing to 232 by 31st March, 1969.