§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the salary and expenses and upkeep of the staff of the various organisations as mentioned in the accompanying sheets enclosed with the circular letter which he sent to all hon. Members dated 31 March 1981; and, in view of the Government's call for economy, if he will take steps to reduce the numbers and costs of these organisations.
§ Mr. HeseltineComparable information about the hundreds of bodies referred to in my letter to hon. Members could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The operating expenses of those bodies which are borne directly on my Votes may be found in Classes VII and VIII of the Supply Estimates. For those that are not, the annual reports of water authorities and new town corporations, and "Local Government Financial Statistics" contain the information which the hon. Member seeks. Copies of these documents are in the Library. Since taking office the Government have continually impressed upon these organisations the need for economy in both staff numbers and costs, and we have taken this into account in fixing the financial constraints within which they operate.