HC Deb 18 March 1996 vol 274 cc29-30W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the budget for the Equal Opportunities Commission in each year since its inception(a) in cash, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage change on the previous year. [20739]

Mrs. Gillan

The information is set out in the following table:

Year Grant in aid cash terms Percentage change on previous year Grant in aid 1994–95 prices Percentage change on previous year
1976–77 850,430 0 3,220,000 0
1977–78 1,460,699 71.8 4,869,000 51.2
1978–79 1,644,650 12.6 4,924,000 1.1
1979–80 2,146,109 30.5 5,517,000 12
1980–81 2,520,270 17.4 5,478,000 -0.7
1981–82 2,911,000 15.5 5,764,000 5.2
1982–83 3,046,000 4.6 5,630,000 -2.3
1983–84 3,168,000 4 5,597,000 -0.6
1984–85 3,387,000 6.9 5,702,000 1.9
1985–86 3,434,000 1.4 5,477,000 -4
1986–87 3,538,000 3 5,477,000 0
1987–88 3,716,000 5 5,457,000 -0.4
1988–89 3,810,000 2.5 5,248,000 -3.8
1989–90 3,894,000 2.2 5,012,000 -4.5
1990–91 4,579,000 17.6 5,458,000 8.9
1991–92 4,864,000 6.2 5,459,000 0.02
1992–93 5,282,000 8.6 5,692,000 4.3
1993–94 5,794,000 9.7 6,067,000 6.6
Year Grant in aid cash terms Percentage change on previous year Grant in aid 1994–95 prices Percentage change on previous year
1994–95 5,949,000 2.7 6,114,000 0.8
1995–96 6,429,533 8.1 6,429,533 5.2

1. Between 29 December 1975 and 31 March 1976, while the commission was in the process of being established, its expenditure was met directly by the Home Office and other Government Departments.

2. The amount of grant in aid for 1995–96 includes the supplementary grant of £273,533 recently agreed by the Department to cover expenditure on information technology equipment.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the budget for the Equal Opportunities Commission for 1996–97; and what are the planned budgets for future years. [20740]

Mrs. Gillan

The grant in aid for the Equal Opportunities Commission for 1996–97 is £5,820,650. Grant in aid for each of the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 is £5,792,150.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the future of the Equal Opportunities Commission. [20741]

Mrs. Gillan

The Government are fully committed to the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Many thousands of people have cause to thank the commission for its work over the last 20 years and its success in changing attitudes. I have recently paid tribute to that work.

The Government have no plans to seek changes to the legislation which defines the EOC's responsibilities and duties.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are currently employed by the Equal Opportunities Commission. [20738]

Mrs. Gillan

There are currently 187 people employed by the Equal Opportunities Commission.