§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to public funds of the National Debt Commission; and how many people it employs.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe gross cost of the National Debt Office is about £480,000 per annum, including some £300,000 in respect of salaries and administration costs. The Commissioners are statutorily empowered to recover costs in respect of many of their functions and all but about £50,000 of the gross costs was so recovered in 1976–77. At 1st April 1977 the number of staff employed was 58.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure for members of the public to make donations to relieve the National Debt; how this is brought to the public's attention; and if he will consider launching a campaign to encourage donations.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettMembers of the public may make donations to relieve the National Debt by sending them to the Controller General, National Debt Office, Royex House, Aldermanbury Square, London, EC2V 7LR.
The address of this office appears in published works of reference, but is not given any special publicity. Members of the public inquiring about making donations are informed of the procedure on request. I have no plans for launching a campaign to encourage donations.
§ Mr. Matesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the size of the National Debt on 1st March 1974 and 1st March 1977.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettTo the nearest available dates to those asked for the National Debt was as follows: 31st March 1974, £40,124,527,285; 31st March, 1976, £56,571,585,311.