HC Deb 22 February 1973 vol 851 cc218-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement giving details of why there has been an increase of£271,000 to£3,095,000 for Treasury salaries and a general increase of£660,000 to cover expenses generally of the various Treasury departments.

Mr. Nott

The increases of£271,000 for Treasury salaries, and of£82,000 for those of subordinate departments, arise mainly from pay settlements agreed after the main estimate for 1972–73 was approved. Taken together, these form over half the total increase of£666,000. The major other item is£235,000 for reimbursement to the Bank of England of the balance of the Treasury's expenditure on exchange control in 1971–72, calculated on audited accounts received in the second quarter of 1972. The balance of£78,000 is made up of increases in general administrative expenses such as travelling and Post Office services.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement giving the details of why there has been an increase from£1,873,000 for the cost of the Cabinet Office to£1,976,000; and how the extra£103,000 is expected to be distributed.

Mr. Higgins

The increased provision under Subhead A of the Cabinet Office Vote for 1972–73 is required to meet higher salary costs due to the 1971–72 central pay settlement and the awards of increased salaries to higher civil servants and to draughtsman and cartographic grades during 1972–73.