§ Mr. GrocottTo ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of her private office in each of the last five years.
§ The Prime MinisterThe cost of the Prime Minister's office over the last five years is as follows:
Year Total cost £ 1985–86 4,405,852 1986–87 4,962,950 1987–88 5,418,455 1988–89 6,553,712 1989–90 17,924,979 1 Estimate. Salaries and wages, notional pension liability and administrative costs and the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust are included. My salary as a Cabinet Minister is not included, nor are my pay and allowances as a Member of this House.
Since 1985 there have been two developments which have affected the way in which costs are assessed. These are inclusion of costs for office services from 1986–87; and inclusion of the cost of redecoration of certain state rooms and of major security works in 1988–89 and 1989–90. When the effects of these developments are excluded (as far as it is possible to do so) and the results expressed in constant price terms at 1988–89 prices, the cost has increased by 6 per cent. between 1985–86 and 1989–90.
§ Mr. GrocottTo ask the Prime Minister what was the total number of people employed in her private office in each of the last five years.
§ The Prime MinisterThe total number of people in my office in each of the last five years is as follows:
Year Number 1985–86 66 1986–87 66 1987–88 67 1988–89 67 1989–90 68