HC Deb 05 November 1975 vol 899 cc224-5W
Mr. Raison

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the reasons for increased expenditure by the Property Services Agency between 1973–74 and 1975–76; and what are the reasons for any anticipated additional expenditure between 1974–75 and 1975–76.

Mr. Crosland

PSA voted expenditure between 1973–74 and 1974–75 fell in real terms. The expected increase between 1974–75 and 1975–76 will leave total expenditure in real terms at about the same level as in 1973–74—with capital expenditure down slightly, maintenance and running costs up, with a small drop in receipts—after allowing for inflation.

Mr. Raison

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) for what reasons any extra staff have been recruited by the Property Services Agency between March 1974 and the present day; and what are the reasons for any anticipated additional recruitment for the rest of 1975 and 1976;

(2) how many staff were employed by the Property Services Agency for March 1974; how many are employed now; and whether he expects any additional recruitment in the rest of 1975 and 1976.

Mr. Freeson

The total numbers of industrial and non-industrial staff were:

1st March 1974 44,554
1st October 1975 44,850

Extra staff were recruited to fill long-outstanding vacancies, particularly in the professional and technology grades. Recruitment over the next year will mainly arise as a result of wastage.