HC Deb 11 February 1980 vol 978 cc442-3W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will compare for 1960, 1970 and the latest year for which the figures are available, at current and at constant prices, the total cost of the Civil Service, and the average cost of each civil servant, including the cost of pensions and of employers' national insurance contributions.

Mr. Channon

The table below shows the relevant Main Estimates provisions at current prices for the staff of central Government Departments, together with the average of these costs per civil servant:

Financial year Main estimates provision Average cost per civil servant
£ £
1961–62 618,000,000 881
1970–71 1,175,000,000 1,670
1979–80 3,95,000,000 5,500
Note: Main estimates provision includes pay, employers' national insurance contributions and, for 1970–71, selective employment tax, and superannuation.

Comparable information for 1960–61 is not held centrally.

There are no indices available which would permit these costs to be shown at constant prices.