§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the 1991–92 annual budget for the Laboratory of the Government Chemist; and what is the percentage allocated to staff costs.
§ Mr. LeighThe Laboratory of the Government Chemist budget for 1991–92 was published in estimates on 12 March 1991 and the gross total is £13.612 million. Of this sum the proportion allocated to staff costs, defined as salary, earnings-related NI contribution—ERNIC—superannuation and overtime costs for both permanent and casual staff, is around 53 per cent. The Laboratory of the Government Chemist is funded on a net running cost basis, so the final expenditure outturn will depend on income generated during the year. This in turn may slightly affect the proportion of total expenditure accounted for by staff costs.