HC Deb 10 December 1976 vol 922 cc411-2W
Mr. Baker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the statutory powers, and other means available to him, to control or influence the number of people employed by, and the wage and salary bill of, local authorities or other public sector bodies not part of central Government.

Mr. Joel Barnett

My right hon. Friend has no statutory powers to control the number of people employed by, and the wage and salary bill of, local authorities or other public sector bodies not part of central Government. The other means of influence available to me lie in the Treasury's general control of public expenditure.