HC Deb 22 October 1987 vol 120 cc858-9W
Mr. Sims

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if' he will give the latest details of the numbers of elected union representatives in each of the main Government Departments and of the cost of providing paid time off.

Mr. Brooke

The details for 1986–87 are shown in the following tables. Compared with the position on 1 June 1986, the total amount of paid time off for union business shows a reduction of 77 man years (5 per cent.), with a consequential saving of £0.67 million. This reflects, for the fifth successive year, the tighter control and accountability measures introduced by the revised national facilities agreement in 1982.

Department Total number expressed as whole time equivalent Cost in salaries wages and direct benefit (£ million) Cost as percentage of wage bill Total number of non-industrial staff at 31 March 1987
Other Government Departments 84 1.07 0.23 36,858
Total 1,119 12.86 0.21 513,779