§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister without Portfolio what was the total number of civil servants employed in the office of his predecessor in 1964, and the annual cost: and what were the figures on 31st December, 1968, and the relevant figures on 30th April, 1970.
§ Mr. Shore:At 1st April, 1970, the nearest convenient date for which figures are available, the staff of my office numbered 11 at an estimated annual cost of £30,000, which is borne on the Cabinet Office Vote. Comparisons cannot usefully be made between the staffs of different Ministers without Portfolio, because their functions have varied. In 1964 there were two such posts, but the cost of the staff of the Minister concerned were borne on the Votes of the Treasury and then Foreign Office: similarly in December, 1968, the cost of the then Minister's staff was borne on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Vote.