§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cost 92W to public funds of the NEDC office and the individual cost of the little Neddies; how many people are involved full-time and part-time; and what are their respective salaries or fees.
§ Mr. Joel Barnett,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 676–7], gave the following information:
The estimated cost of staff, administration and research for the National Economic Development Council falling on the Treasury Vote and excluding allied services—accommodation, printing, etc.—is £1,912,000 for 1976–77. This provides for 210 staff at various salary levels from messenger to director general, to service the Council—26 members; the 18 economic development committees and three council working parties—total 440 members; the 39 industrial strategy sector working parties—about 450 members—and numerous subordinate committees. All chairmen and members are part-time. Chairmen of EDCs may receive a £1,000 fee; all other chairmen and members are unpaid.
To apportion the costs among the individual EDCs would require disproportionate work and expense since it would involve numerous judgments about splitting the salaries of staff among different activities.
Mr. MacNamaraasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by name the consultants employed to do work for NEDC or little Neddies; what projects they are currently working on; what work they have completed in the last financial year; and what were the fees paid.
§ Mr. Joel Barnett,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 677, gave the following information:
During 1975–76, 30 research consultancies were completed at a cost of £217,000. 13 other consultancies are in progress in May 1976 at an estimated cost of £265,000. The projects and the results are incorporated into the ongoing work of the NEDC and the economic development committees which publish reports from time to time as appropriate.