§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are employed in the Press and 453W Public Relations Office of the Royal Mint; where they are located; what is the total inclusive cost of providing the facility; how many press releases were issued in 1979 and 1980 to date; and what are the duties of this office.
§ Mr. Peter ReesOne official is employed about halftime on press office duties in the London office of the Royal Mint. The cost of this service is not a charge on public expenditure.
The duties of the office include the drafting and issue of press releases, arranging press conferences, the preparation of press material, dealing with press queries and letters and telephone inquiries from the public.
Until June 1980, Royal Mint press releases were issued by HM Treasury on behalf of the Royal Mint and distributed by the Central Office of Information. Since then the Royal Mint have produced and issued their own press releases.
Twelve press releases were issued in 1979 and 13 were issued in 1980.
§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are employed in the Royal Mint, in each grade; and what is the total cost.
align="center">Duty Increase per cent in imperial terms in metric terms £ £ (a)Spirits 99 15.35 (per proof gallon) 5.92 (per litre of alcohol) (b)Beer 195 17.41 (per bulk barrel of 36 gallons at 1037 degrees of gravity) 10.64 (per hectoliter at 1037 degrees of gravity) (c) Light wine (not exceeding 15 per cent. alcohol) 393 2.95 (per gallon) 64.92 (per hectolitre) (d) Heavy wine (15–18 per cent. alcohol) 189 2.80 (per gallon) 61.48 (per hectolitre) (18–22 per cent. alcohol) 241 3.55 (per gallon) 78.14 (per hectolitre) (e) Made-wine (15–18 per cent. alcohol) 296 2.96 (per gallon) 65.04 (per hectolitre) I assume that the hon. Member is seeking information in the second part of his question on the overall money increases and percentage increases between 1973–74 and 1980–81 in receipts from the individual duties on alcoholic drinks. This information is as follows:
Increase in duty receipts (£ million) (per cent.) (a) Spirits 775 157 (b) Beer 765 210 (c) Wine 282 348 (d) Made-Wine 33 236 The 1980–81 estimates for wine have not been subdivided by strength. 454W
Duty increase to maintain real value since increases in Full year revenue yield Approximate increase in retail price of typical item (a) 1977 (b) 1980 (a) (b) (a) (b) (%) (%) (£m) (£m) Cigarettes 33 5.1 *470 75 13½/2;p per packet of 20 Cigars 30 5.1 8½/1½p on 5 whiffs Handrolling tobacco 36 5.1 23½/3½p per 25 grams Pipe tobacco 47 5.1 23½/2½p per 25 grams Beer 30 5.1 315 55 3/½p per pint Spirits 40 5.1 10 10 £1.65/21p per bottle
§ Mr. Peter ReesThere are 1,309 civil servants currently employed in the Royal Mint. They fall into eight main groups, as follows:
Administrative 222 Secretarial 11 Messengers 10 Professional & Technical 111 Science 23 Engraving 10 Miscellaneous 26 Industrial 896 Staff wages and salaries are not a charge on public expenditure.
The published accounts for 1979–80 contain information on such costs.