§ Mr. Hordernasked the Minister of Transport if he will publish a table showing the total cost of wages and salaries paid by British Railways and their percentage increase each year since 1970.
§ Mr. FowlerThe following is the table for the total cost of wages and salaries paid by the British Railways Board including its subsidiaries:
Year Total wages and salaries cost £million Percentage increase on previous year 1970 419.4 10.84 1971 454.5 8.37 1972 506.5 11.44 1973 558.7 10.31 1974 693.0 24.04 1975 898.1 29.60 1976 984.1 9.58 1977 1,045.4 6.23 1978 1,160.1 10.97 1979 1,321.7 13.93 The figures, which are taken from the British Railways Board annual report and accounts, include employers' national insurance contributions. The staff costs for Freightliner Limited, which became part of British Rail in 1978, have not been included.