§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost of additional regional staff for the Central Office of Information in the(a) current and (b) next financial year; and in which offices they are located. [17239]
§ Mr. FreemanThe number of staff in the Central Office of Information regional offices varies from year to year in line with demand. It is therefore difficult to say with any exactitude which staff are additional and which are replacements. However, total staff numbers rose in126W 1996–97 from 85 to 90. They are expected to fall to 88 in 1997–98. Total salary costs for each of the years in question are:
- 1995–96: £2.3 million
- 1996–971: £2.4 million
- 1997–981: £2.4 million.
- 1 Forecast.
Manpower numbers in each region (full time equivalents) are: 1995–96 1996–971 1997–981 Directorate 5 5 5 Cambridge 9 10 9 London and South East 9 10 7 Newcastle 8 8 10 Manchester 12 12 12 Liverpool 1 1 1 Leeds 10 9 9 Birmingham 13 14 15 Bristol 10 11 11 Cardiff 1 1 1 Plymouth — 1 1 Nottingham 7 8 7 Total 85 90 88 1 Forecast.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what were the total cost of and whole-time equivalent staff numbers in the Central Office of Information in each year since 1993–94; and what are the projections for 1997–98. [17240]
§ Mr. FreemanThe information requested from the Central Office of Information is as follows:
Staff numbers (whole-time equivalent) Cost1(£000) 1993–94 543 15,260 1994–95 499 14,548 1995–96 456 13,607 1996–972 402 20,017 1997–982 300 9,900 1 Includes early severance costs. 2 Forecast.