§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister why she is abolishing the Central Policy Review Staff.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Central Policy Review Staff has been a valuable source of policy analysis and collective advice to Ministers since it was set up in 1971. In the meantime, however, Departments have established or expanded their own policy units for long-term planning and the Cabinet Office secretariat's role in preparing issues for collective Ministerial discussion has grown considerably. A policy unit has also been established in the Prime Minister's Office.
In the light of these developments, and of the development of the role of special advisers as a source of general advice to Ministers, I decided, after consultation with my Cabinet colleagues, that the purposes for which the CPRS was set up were now being met satisfactorily in other ways and it should therefore be disbanded at the end of July. The Chief Scientist, CPRS, will continue to advise me and the Cabinet Office on scientific and technological matters, with the title chief scientific Adviser, Cabinet Office.
I should like to express to Mr. John Sparrow, the present head of the CPRS, and to all who have directed and worked for the organisation, the Government's warmest gratitude for the service they have given.
§ Mr. Eggarasked the Prime Minister, if she will list (a) the annual cost of the Central Policy Review Staff since 1971 (i) in current prices and (ii) in 1983 prices and (b) the names of the individuals who have served on the Central Policy Review Staff, together with the Departments, companies or institutions at which they were employed prior to their appointment and their dates of service.
§ The Prime MinisterThe estimated annual cost of the Central Policy Review Staff since 1971 is as follows:
19W
Estimated total annual cost* Estimated total annual cost at 1983 prices* £ thousand £ thousand 1971–72 206 791 1972–73 253 896 1973–74 260 835 1974–75 333 821 1975–76 448 1,017 1976–77 495 1,028 1977–78 524 957 1978–79 700 1,040 1979–80 662 788 1980–81 797 890 1981–82 932 972 1982–83 1,109 1,109 * Source: Civil Service Ready Reckoners for Staff Costs (1979–82 Editions) based on numbers of staff in post as at 31 March each year. I will write to my hon. Friend with details of those who have served in the Central Policy Review Staff.