HC Deb 11 July 2002 vol 388 cc1099-100W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Prime Minister how many staff have been employed at No. 10 Downing Street in each year from 1979–80 to 2002–03, broken down by Department; what the total annual staff cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [66295]

The Prime Minister

The total staff costs for No. 10 Downing Street from 1997 are as follows:

  • 1997–98: £4.1 million
  • 1998–99: £4.9 million
  • 1999–2000: £5.9 million
  • 2000–01: £6.9 million.

At 1 April 1998, there were 121 members of staff and at 1 April 2002 there were 190 staff on the No. 10 payroll.

Staff numbers and costs before these dates are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.