§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the total number of staff and total salaries and costs for his office in 1974 and at the latest stated date; to what extent efforts to economise have been made; to what extent these have proved successful; and whether he will ensure that any proposed Government expenditure cuts will further reduce the costs of his Department.
§ The Prime MinisterThe number of staff employed in my office at 10 Downing Street on 1st April 1974 was 68 full-time and three part-time. The cost of my office for the financial year 1974–75 was £234,000 for salaries and £250,000 for general administrative expenses. The number of staff in post on 1st June 1976 was 68 full-time and two part-time. The provision made in the Estimates for 197677 is £373,000 for salaries and £392,000 for general administrative expenses.
The staffing and cost of my office are regularly reviewed to ensure that it is run as economically as possible.