HC Deb 30 January 1976 vol 904 cc370-1W
Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the total number of full-time and part-time staff, with full-time equivalents of part-time staff, employed by local government in England and Wales; and how this compares with the numbers of staff employed immediately after April 1974.

Mr. Oakes

The published estimates of staff employed by local authorities in England and Wales, excluding police forces, are:

(2) what was the average domestic rate bill for London, England, Wales, and England and Wales, respectively, in each year since 1970.

Mr. John Silkin

Average domestic rate payments in each year since 1970–71 and the percentage change over the previous year were as follows:

Up to and including 1973–74 figures for payments take account of sewerage and, where appropriate, water charges. Following changes in local government reorganisation the figures for 1974–75 and 1975–76 exclude these amounts as they are separate charges.

The figures for 1974–75 do not include the special domestic relief which was given as an additional benefit for that year alone.

I regret that comparable figures for non-domestic rate payments are not available.