§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total estimated cost to public funds of Parliament in 1980–81: and what proportion per £100 of total public expenditure this represents.
§ Sir Geoffrey Howe[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1980, c. 33]: The total Estimate provision for the cost of Parliament in 1980–81 is £51 million. This figure includes all the direct costs such as administration, MPs' and Peers' salaries and allowances, accommodation, Hansard and so on, but excludes indirect costs as those involved in dealing with Parliamentary Questions and inquiries by Select Committees. For every £100 of public expenditure, approximately 8 pence is spent on the direct costs of Parliament.