§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service, in view of the continuing fall in the inflationary spiral and of the reduction in the Index of Retail Prices, to what extent this has meant a saving in the administrative costs of Government Departments; and how such costs compare in December 1977 with those of 12 months ago and for the months of August, September, October and November 1976, compared with the same months in 1977.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe cash limits for 1977–78 allowed for a fall in the general rate of inflation, which we are experiencing. Prices actually experienced for individual elements of expenditure within each cash limit will vary both up and down from the original assumption. There is some evidence that prices of general administrative expenditure are turning out lower than expected. If this continues there will be some saving at the end of the day but it is too early to quantify this.
The comparisons with 1976 asked for are not readily available.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will disaggregate the shortfall, or excess, in spending under each cash limit block for pay and general administrative expenses in 1976–77, and the shortfall, or excess, in relation to the expected profiles of spending during the first half of 1977–78 on the same block.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisNo. Pay and general administrative expenses are not
554Ware involved; and what salaries or expenses were paid, at 1st December 1977.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe following is the information requested:
separately subject to cash limits. They are, however, shown separately in both the Supply Estimates and the Appropriation Accounts.