§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the annual cost to his Department of updating the management information system for Ministers.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe second run of the systen is still in progress and costs are not yet available by they are expected to be significantly lower in real terms than the £135,000 involved in setting up the system and running it for the first time last year.
§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of work carried out in his Department on the management information system for Ministers; and what savings have so far resulted.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe establishment and first run of the management information system for Ministers (MINIS) cost about £135,000 in total. The second run of the system is still in progress and costs are not yet available.
The MINIS system has played a central part in identifying opportunities for the major manpower and organisational savings being achieved in the Department. In May 1979 there were 52,122 staff in DOE (including the PSA). By 1 April 1980 this had reduced to 48,280, and by 1 April 1981 the total is likely to be less than 46,000. The organisational changes over this period will include a reduction of 16 per cent. in the number of directorates. Expenditure on wages and salaries in 1978–79 was £235.6 million; in 1980–81 (on the same price base) this expenditure is likely to be £209.3 million.