§ Mr. Hordernasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many people are employed in the pay research unit; at what cost; and if he will outline its present functions.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Civil Service pay research unit employs 80 full-time staff. The total staff costs, including salaries and general expenses, for the unit in the present financial year are expected to be £1,110,000. The main job of the unit—which has been in existence since 1956—is to establish job comparisons between the Civil Service and outside organisations and to ascertain the pay and conditions of service of the outside comparators. Pay research has been suspended for the 1981 pay settlement. My right hon. Friend will be considering the future work of the unit in the light of decisions on Civil Service pay for the future. Discussions about possible changes to the pay research system for the longer term are taking place with the Council of Civil Service Unions.