HC Deb 19 December 1980 vol 996 cc380-2W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the total cost to public funds of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service since its formation; what reduction in the cost to public funds has occurred since May 1979; what is the cost to public funds in the current year of the service; whether he is satisfied that its current expenditure is in line with its budget; what economies are to be made in the expenditure of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service since the Chancellor's statement on 24 November 1980; and by how much the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has overspent or underspent its budget in each year since its formation;

(2) what is the total number of staff currently employed by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service; how this compares with the position in each year since its formation; and how many reports and publications he has received from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service since May 1979, and on what subjects;

Details of ACAS budgets and expenditure since its formation under statute in 1976 are:
Year ACAS budget Outturn Difference
£ £ £
1975–1976 2,302,000 2,305,290 +3,290
1976–1977 8,029,000 6,598,059 -1,430,941
1977–78 8,643,000 7,634,166 -1,008,834
1978–1979 10,263,000 9,078,675 -1,184,325
1979–80 11,807,000 10,450,595 -1,356,405
1980–1981 13,518,000 12,518,000 *-1,000,000
54,562,000 48,584,785 -5,977,215
* Estimated

Staff employed by the Service on 1 October in each year since its formation are as follows:
Permanent Period Appointments Casual Total
1 October 1975 491 39 9 539
1 October 1976 726½ 34 14 744½
1 October 1977 781 48 25 854
1 October 1978 790 50 11 851
1 October 1979 817½ 16 11 844½
1 October 1980 719 17 17 753

The following reports have been formally presented to the Secretary of State since May 1979:

Annual Report 1979

Report No. 17 - Fur Wages Council (Great Britain)

Report No. 18 - Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restuarant Wages Council

Report No. 19 - The Laundry Wages Council

Report No. 20 - The Contract Cleaning Industry

In addition, the following publications were sent to the Department of Employment for information:

Conciliation in Complaints by individuals to Industrial Tribunals - the ACAS Role.

Introduction to Payment Systems.

An Industrial Relations Advisory Service - ACAS Role.

Personnel Records.

An Industrial Relations Handbook.

As chairman of the council of ACAS, Mr. Pat Lowry will receive a salary of £31,000 per annum and will be reimbursed necessary expenses.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the rateable values of offices occupied by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Mr. Mayhew

The information available is as follows:

(3) what salary and expenses will be paid to the new chairman of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Mr. Mayhew

The estimated total cost to public funds of the service since its foundation under statute in January 1976 to the end of the current financial year is £48,584,785. The estimated reduction in the cost to public funds from May 1979 to the end of the current financial year is some £2,400,000. The estimated cost of the service in the current financial year is some £12,500,000. I am satisfied that the service will underspend on its budget in the current financial year. Savings of £500,000 will be made from 24 November to the end of the current financial year.

Rateable value
Cleland House, Page Street, London £91,392
Alpha Tower, Queensway, Birmingham 1 £16,256
Westgate House, Westgate Road, Newcastle £13,190
Boulton House, Chorlton Street, Manchester £12,500
Franborogh House, Bothwell Street, Glasgow £29,090
Clifton House, Euston Road, London £66,055
16 Park Place, Clifton, Bristol £4,282
Tyglas Road, Llanishey, Cardiff £4,620

No rateable values have yet been notified to ACAS in respect of offices in Leeds, Liverpool and Nottingham.