asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware that the numbers of temporary secretaries employed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes have increased by 50 per cent. in 12 months and that the cost of employing each of them has increased by £2 per week; and which body has the responsibility of reviewing the salaries and productivity of employees of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Yes. The Board have 11 more temporary secretarial staff employed through agencies to help in dealing with an increased and fluctuating workload. The charges made by employment agencies are the subject of a current reference to the Board.