§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will give details showing to what extent the Government's policy of reducing expenditure has affected his Department; and whether he will give a comparison, either in percentage or actual figures, of the number of 222W staff employed and their salaries and wages in October, 1964, and June, 1968.
§ The Prime MinisterThe estimates for my office are prepared in the light of and in conformity with the Government's public expenditure and other policies.
In October, 1964, the number of staff —defined as in my earlier Answers to similar Questions by my hon. Friend— employed in my office was 45 at a monthly salary and wages bill of £5,166; in June of this year the corresponding figures were 65 and £9,166 respectively. The increase in staff reflects the substantial increase in work done under the present Administration, including the substantially increased number of Questions from my hon. Friend and other hon. Members.