§ Mr. Haywardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of providing civil servants with briefcases in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. BrookeHMSO estimates the cost at approximately:
£ 1981–82 69,000 1982–83 98,000 1983–84 111,000 1984–85 118,000 1985–86 141,000
§ Mr. Haywardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current cost of each briefcase provided to civil servants.
§ Mr. BrookeThe standard PVC briefcase at present costs £7.36. The standard leathercloth case costs £25.19.
§ Mr. Haywardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has reviewed the policy of providing briefcases to civil servants.
§ Mr. BrookeI see no reason to do so. Departments are individually responsible for controlling their own expenditure on briefcases and stationery items.