§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of local government personnel in Wales, in 1978 and 1980 and the total cost in salaries and wages in each case.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe information is as follows:
Number of local government employees* March 1978 127,602 March 1980 128,175 Wages and salaries costs (at outturn prices)† 1977–78 £520 million 1979–80 £675 million‡
Relative Normalised Unit Labour Costs (1975=100) 1979 1980 I II III IV I II III France 96.3 95.8 96.6 100.0 100.9 100.5 100.4 Germany 111.7 108.3 109.1 112.3 109.3 106.6 105.9 United Kingdom 102.7 112.5 119.0 119.7 127.3 134.5 141.8 Since January 1979 sterling has appreciated by 30 per cent. against the French franc and by 29 per cent. against the deutschemark. The Government's policy is to leave the exchange rate to be determined by the market.