§ Mr. GouldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the job titles and grades, in full-time equivalents, of staff working on his local government review, including and identifying staff seconded from other Government Departments; and if he will calculate the annual cost of this exercise.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 15 February 1991]: A team was established within the Department in December 1990 to undertake a thorough review of local government functions, structure and finance. The review team is headed by a grade 4 (director) supported by 22 staff, made of the following grades:
- Four at grade 5 (assistant secretary)
- Five at grade 7 (principal)
- One higher executive officer (development)
- Three higher executive officers
- Two executive officers
- One senior personal secretary
- Two administrative officers
- Four personal secretaries
Of these staff, one grade 5 and one grade 7 are seconded from the Department of Social Security.
Annual expenditure by the review team is estimated at some £1 million, which breaks down broadly as follows:
£ Basic salary costs 616,000 Other costs 391,000
§ Mr. GouldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if any external work has been commissioned for his review of local government; and if any external advisers have been appointed to the review.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 15 February 1991]: I have not appointed external advisers or commissioned external work in connection with the review. We are, however, consulting widely about the review and have made clear our desire to discuss the issues with local government and opposition parties and our willingness to consider views put to us by individuals and organisations outside Government.