§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the purposes and functions of the Office of Manpower Economics; how many staff are employed in it; and what is the annual cost to public funds.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe Office of Manpower Economics provides a secretariat for the review bodies on doctors' and dentists' remuneration, top salaries and Armed Forces' pay; for the Standing Commission on pay comparability; the Civil Service arbitration tribunal; and the police negotiating board. It also undertakes research with Ministers' approval in the pay field. There were 60 staff employed at the Office of Manpower Economics on 1 October 1979, and its annual cost to public funds is estimated at £1.2 millions.