§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what is the total cost of running that Department in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will itemise the main constituent costs.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Northern Ireland Office is financially responsible for about 14,500 personnel of whom some 250 are United Kingdom civil servants; the remainder are seconded Northern Ireland civil servants and personnel employed in dependent law and order services including police, prisons services, courts administration, etc. Under direct rule the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is also constitutionally responsible for some 32,000 members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
The total cost of running the Northern Ireland Office in 1974–75 was £102.7 million, which includes the costs of the law and order and protective services. The main constituent costs of this were:
Compensation for criminal injuries £46.3 million Police £36.3 million Treatment of offenders, including prisons administration £10.6 million