§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the arms control and disarmament research unit of his Department was first established; and what are the terms of reference of its work.
§ Mr. HurdThe unit was established in January 1965. Its task is to undertake research and study into possible international measures for the limitation and reduction of armaments, and to contribute to official British policy in this field by drawing on the experience of those outside the Government service. The unit publishes information on disarmament negotiations.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are employed (a) full time and (b) part time at the arms control and disarmament research unit of his Department; and what is the annual cost of running this unit.
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§ Mr. HurdFour persons are employed full-time in the unit. Including salaries, accommodation and common services the annual cost of running the unit in 1982–83 is £88,494.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the expenditure on, and level of staffing of, the arms control and disarmament unit in each year since 1972–73; and what are the projected figures for the next five years.
§ Mr. HurdThe number of staff in the unit in each of these years has been four. At current prices expenditure on salaries, accommodation and common services has been:
Year Expenditure £ 1972–73 28,824 1973–74 31,327 1974–75 28,219 1975–76 34,655 1976–77 39,438 1977–78 45,847 1978–79 50,981 1979–80 61,505 1980–81 78,218 1981–82 83,596 1982–83 88,494 We consider staffing and expenditure from time to time and in the light of changing international negotiations and the division of responsibilities between the unit and other Departments. I cannot predict what levels of staffing and expenditure would be right for the next five years.