§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of staff in his Department on 1 April for each of the years 1985 and 1986; what was the figure for 5 January 1987; and what is the current cost to public funds, including salaries, pensions and overheads of running it.
§ Mr. John PattenThe total number of staff in the Department of the Environment (Central) at 1 April 1985 and 1986 was 6,560.5 and 6,521 respectively. Staff in post figures are collated for the first of each month. On 1 January 1987 the estimated total was 6,430. The cost of running the Department in 1986–87 is expected to be about £152 million. This includes a notional amount for superannuation payments which are met by the Paymaster General's Office.