§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people in his Department are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities.
§ Mr. HeseltineIn 1989–90, some 180 people in the central administration of my Department were whollyt or substantially involved in these activities. For the PSA, because of the nature of its business, all of the 14,140 staff supported the purchasing activity to a greater or lesser extent.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Department's purchasing activity.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe staff cost, including overheads, of the purchasing activity in the central administration of my Department in 1989–90 was £1.5 million. For the PSA, all expenditure on staffing of some £390 million was associated with purchasing.