§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost of providing weekly luncheon vouchers of(a) £5, (b) £6 and (c) £7 per employee for each civil servant in the London pay area; and what is his estimate of the cost of similar services for all civil servants outside London.
§ Mr. BrookeThe table below gives estimates, excluding administrative costs, based on the numbers of civil servants at 1 January 1987.
£ million Weekly luncheon vouchers Pay area £5 per employee £6 per employee £7 per employee London 32.3 38.8 45.3 Outside London 124.1 148.9 173.8
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider providing luncheon vouchers as a means of topping up any pay offer in response to the 1988 pay claim by the National Union of Civil and Public Servants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeNo.