HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1326-7W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total running costs each of his Department in(a) 1979 and (b) today in cash and current prices.

Mr. Redwood

The available information is as follows:

Welsh Office running costs
Cash terms £ million 1994–95 prices £ million
1979–80 17.8 45.0
1994–95 68.3 68.3

The increase in running costs reflects the assumption of additional functions by the Welsh Office, for example, further responsibilities for industry, higher education and training and agricultural grants. In addition, the figures for 1994–95 reflect superannuation charges, which were not included in the data for 1979–80.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list showing the total number of employees in his Department broken down by grade for(a) 1979 and (b) today; and what is the corresponding pay bill in each case in cash prices and current prices.

Mr. Redwood

The total number of permanent staff employed by my Department in December 1979, broken down by grade is:

Grade Total Number Employed
Grade 1 1
Grade 2 2
Grade 3 and Equivalents 13
Grade 4 and Equivalents 3
Grade 5 and Equivalents 55
Grade 6 and Equivalents 98
Grade 7 and Equivalents 159
SEO and Equivalents 150
HEO and Equivalents 219
EO and Equivalents 412
AO and Equivalents 643
Grade Total Number Employed
AA and Equivalents 537
Industrial Staff 227
Fast Streamers 11

The corresponding pay bill in this year was £14,900,000. This equates to £37,000,000 in current prices.

The total number of permanent staff employed by my Department on 1 November 1994, broken down by grade is:

Grade Total number employed
Grade 1 1
Grade 2 2
Grade 3 and Equivalents 12
Grade 4 and Equivalents 7
Grade 5 and Equivalents 49
Grade 6 and Equivalents 33
Grade 7 and Equivalents 178
SEO and Equivalents 145
HEO and Equivalents 300
EO and Equivalents 505
AO and Equivalents 603
AA and Equivalents 450
Industrial Staff 142
Fast Streamers 21

The corresponding paybill for this year is £47,805,000.

The staffing and paybill figures for 1979 include details for ancient monuments and schools inspection. The figures for 1994 include Cadw but not the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector. The 1994 paybill figures include superannuation charges.

The Welsh Office employs 54 fewer staff of grades one to seven and SEO than in 1979, and 84 fewer of all grades. During this period it has also taken on extra functions.