§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total cost of the Administration of his Department expressed in constant prices in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Butcher:The total costs of administration of the Department for 1983–84, the year in which it was formed, together with the aggregate costs of the previously separate Departments of Trade and Industry for prior years are as follows, expressed in 1983–84 prices. The costs for 1979–80 are not comparable because of subsequent changes in accounting.
£ million 1979–80 272.1 1980–81 304.7 1981–82 294.4 1982–83 288.7 1983–84 261.7