104 Mr. V. Brady asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline (1) the total number of persons employed in the public services on (a) 31 March 1987 and (b) 31 March 1992; and (2) the total cost to the Exchequer in pay terms including pensions.

(1) Numbers employed: statistical data is available only in respect of 1 January for each of the years in question. The total number employed in the Public Service, including local authorities, at 1 January 1987 was 216,067 and at 1 January 1992 was 202,937. The number employed in local authorities at 1 January 1987 was 32,383 and at 1 January 1992 was 26,785.

(2) Exchequer pay and pensions bill: the Exchequer pay and pensions bill for 1987 was £2,759 million, the pay element of which was £2,565 million. The estimated Exchequer pay and pensions bill figure for 1992 is £3,722 million, of which an estimated £3,446 million is accounted for by pay.