§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to the Exchequer and the total increase in local government staff levels since March 1974 as a result of the requirements of new legislation and departmental circulars initiated by her Department since that date.
§ Mr. MeacherI regret that the information is not available and could not be obtained even approximately without considerable expenditure of staff time. I am, however, fully conscious of the need to exercise restraint in placing new requirements on local authorities in a time of severe restraint in the growth of public expenditure.