§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date his answer to the hon. Member for Melton of 14 April 1980, regarding the size and cost of his Department.
§ Mr. Heseltine[pursuant to his reply, 8 December 1980]: On 1 November 1980 the total number of non industrial and industrial staff in post in the Department of the Environment including the Property Services Agency, was 47,021. This is a reduction of 9.8 per cent. since the general election.
The net cost to public funds of running the Department during the financial year ending 31 March 1981 is estimated to be some £438.7 million made up as follows—at outturn prices:
£m. Wages and salaries 185.8 General administrative expenditure 83.8 Accommodation and HMSO 50.3 Pay etc of PSA industrials 118.8 Total 438.7 As in previous answers to my hon. Friend, the staff numbers in this answer exclude casually or seasonally employed staff and PSA staff locally engaged overseas. They also exclude the Ordnance Survey.