§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Prime Minister what has been the cost of the ministerial payroll; and how many ministers it has covered in each year since 1979.
§ The Prime MinisterThe number of salaried Members of the Government, including Whips, was 106 in May 1979 and is 108 now. The total salary bill for all Government Ministers and Whips is currently some £3.6 million per annum. Information about ministerial salary costs in earlier years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Prime Minister if the duties of accountability set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure" for Ministers apply in all respects to departmental agencies.
§ The Prime MinisterYes.