HC Deb 19 December 1989 vol 164 c172W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many employees employed by hon. Members are paid for through the secretarial and office allowance.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

A total of 1,262 in the month of December 1989.

The above figure relates to persons directly employed by Members, ie, paid through the PAYE system. It does not include persons who are self-employed or fee-earning, or agency and other staff provided through an arrangement with a firm or business organisation.