§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the cost of wages and salaries of the local authorities as at 31 December 1980, or at the latest convenient date and at the same date in each of the last five years; and if he will give an estimate of the cost for 1981.
§ Mr. KingFollowing are the available estimates:
Local Authority expenditure* on wages and salaries for the revenue account of rate fund services—England and Wales Quarter ending 30 September £ million Outturn Prices 1975 1670 1976 1880 1977 1990 1978 2180 1979 2650 1980 3290 * Estimates are based upon sample information and therefore are subject to sampling error. Equivalent expenditure in 1981 depends upon decisions still to be made by local authorities on staffing levels and on the outcome of wage settlements yet to be negotiated.