§ 18. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are estimated to be currently employed in local government; in how many local authorities they are operating and at what overall cost per head of the population; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MossThe total number of people employed by the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland at 31 March 1994 was 8,607. The average cost per head of the total population of the Province, based on the salaries and wages for the financial year ended 31 March 1994, was £61.12. It is not possible to compare this figure with the position of local authorities in Great Britain in any meaningful way because of the much smaller range of functions undertaken by district councils in Northern Ireland.