§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the purposes and functions of the incomes policy divisions of his Department and what is the annual cost to public funds of these divisions.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe incomes divisions of the Department of Employment provide information and advice as necessary on pay developments as they affect the Government's economic, industrial or social policies, and administer the Wages Councils Act and other legislation. The full annual cost to public funds is £3,600,000. Most of this is the cost of the wages inspectorate.