HC Deb 24 March 1976 vol 908 cc186-7W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a list of prices of the principal steel products of the British Steel Corporation and compare these with similar products in the leading EEC trading centres.

Mr. Kauman

The British Steel Corporation is responsible or publishing its prices, which vary according to size, quality, etc. Comparison with European prices is made difficult by the differences in the specifications in the various countries, but the following table, provided by the BSC, gives a broad indication of the relative levels of published home trade prices in other countries of the European Communities on 1st March 1976. It does not cover the prices charged by the United Kingdom private sector producers.

The Prime Minister

On 1st March 1976 there were 65 full-time and four part-time staff employed in my office at 10 Downing Street. The estimated current annual cost of their salaries is £355,000.

My answer to my hon. Friend's Question on 27th February gave similar information for earlier years. When travelling on official business my staff have their expenses paid at normal Civil Service rates.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Prime Minister to what extent during his tenure of office civil servants, from his office who have retired on pension have been appointed to other paid Government appointments, either full or part-time; and whether they have been able to draw both their pensions and salary or expenses for their new full or part-time employment.

The Prime Minister

I regret that the information is not available.

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