§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his inquiry into poverty trap issues will also be looking at the problems associated with the fact that it now pays many people to remain out of work for certain periods of the year rather than to take jobs; whether this will be an inter-departmental inquiry involving the Treasury and Inland Revenue as well as his own Department; and when he expects to be in a position to make recommendations on the situation.
§ Mr. OrmeI am afraid I cannot at this stage usefully add to what I said on this subject in the House in answer to
410Wand Wales, showing, in each case, staff costs and other costs separately, using for this purpose the definitions embodied in his Circular HC(76)36 of June 1976, the figures to cover 1974–75, 1975–76 and 1976–77.
§ Mr. EnnalsI regret that all the figures requested are not available. The figures tabulated below, which cover 1976–77 only, have been produced in order to monitor the "standstill" on management costs embodied in Health Circular HC(76)36. Figures for each area are not available centrally.
Questions on 26th October.—[Vol. 918, c. 255–8.]