§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Prime Minister what is the latest cost figure for maintaining her private office since May 1979.
§ The Prime MinisterThe cost figure of running No. 10 Downing street and all costs associated with the Office of the Prime Minister, from and including the financial year 1979–80, is as follows.
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Total annual cost at outturn prices* Year Cost £ 1979–80 1,299,601 1980–81 1,614,824 1981–82† 2,303,301 1982–83 2,554,752 1983–84 2,885,042 1984–85‡ 3,288,367 * Includes salaries and wages, pension liability and administration costs, but excludes the salary of the Prime Minister, messengerial and cleaning services; and any allowance for accommodation until 1983–84 when the property repayment scheme was introduced. Following the abolition of the CPRS the policy unit in the Prime Minister's Office was strengthened by four staff. In the last full year of its existence (1982–83) CPRS employed 35 people and cost £1,109,000. Thus, while the cost of the Prime Minister's Office increased as a result of the abolition of the CPRS, substantial net overall savings were made. † The increase in cost between 1980–81 and 1981–82 reflects the change in the basis of charging by MOD for aircraft used by the Prime Minister, and the introduction of repayment for the service staff at Chequers, previously provided as an allied service.
‡ Latest estimate of 1984–85 outturn.