§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of local government personnel in England in 1978 and 1980; and what was the total cost in salaries and wages in each case.
§ Mr. KingThe number of local government personnel in England—on a full-time equivalent basis excluding agency staff, but including those employed under the Government's job creation programme and special temporary employment programme—at March 1978 and March 1980 were 1,943,485 and 1,962,462 respectively. The total cost in wages and salaries* was as follows:
financial Year Outturn prices (to nearest £5 million) 1977–78 £8,415 million 1979–80 £11.125 million† Notes:
* Includes wages anil salaries of employees in all services except agency services on behalf of government departments.
† Best available estimate.