§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current complement of economists at the Treasury; what was the equivalent complement in May 1979 and in February 1974; how many economists left the employ of the Treasury since May 1979; and how many economists left between February 1974 and May 1979.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe complement of economists in the Treasury was 65 on 1 October 1982. In May 1979, the figure was 64. I regret that the figure for February 1974 is not accurately known, but it was around 60. These figures exclude seven economists serving in the open structure.
Since May 1979, 17 economists have left the employ of the Treasury. Between February 1974 and May 1979, 13 economists resigned.