§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the present annual536W cost of (a) the Gwent Justices' chief executive and his staff and (b) of the lease and accommodation of the chief executive and staff. [6835]
§ Mr. Hoon(a) In its annual magistrates' courts revenue grant claim return to the Lord Chancellor's Department for 1995–96, the Gwent County Council reported that total expenditure by it on salaries, special or additional allowances and national insurance and superannuation contributions for the Gwent Magistrates' Courts Committee was £1,722,568 of which £66,250 was in respect of the Justices' Chief Executive. 1995–96 is the most recent financial year for which such expenditure information is currently available. No breakdown is available between expenditure on staff working directly and immediately to the Justices' Chief Executive and between other staff employed by the Gwent Magistrates' Courts Committee.
(b) In a return submitted by the Gwent Magistrates' Courts Committee to the Lord Chancellor's Department in September 1996, it estimated that the 1997–98 rental cost of Gwent House, Cwmbran, where its Justices' Chief Executive's office is located, would be £58,200. It also estimated that the 1997–98 business rates liability would be £18,176. No other information is held nationally about the cost of the lease and accommodation of the Justices' Chief Executive.