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Arms Control And Disarmament Research Unit

Volume 35: debated on Wednesday 19 January 1983

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asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the arms control and disarmament research unit of his Department was first established; and what are the terms of reference of its work.

The unit was established in January 1965. Its task is to undertake research and study into possible international measures for the limitation and reduction of armaments, and to contribute to official British policy in this field by drawing on the experience of those outside the Government service. The unit publishes information on disarmament negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are employed (a) full time and (b) part time at the arms control and disarmament research unit of his Department; and what is the annual cost of running this unit.

Four persons are employed full-time in the unit. Including salaries, accommodation and common services the annual cost of running the unit in 1982–83 is £88,494.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the expenditure on, and level of staffing of, the arms control and disarmament unit in each year since 1972–73; and what are the projected figures for the next five years.

The number of staff in the unit in each of these years has been four. At current prices expenditure on salaries, accommodation and common services has been:

YearExpenditure
£
1972–7328,824
1973–7431,327
1974–7528,219
1975–7634,655
1976–7739,438
1977–7845,847
1978–7950,981
1979–8061,505
1980–8178,218
1981–8283,596
1982–8388,494
We consider staffing and expenditure from time to time and in the light of changing international negotiations and the division of responsibilities between the unit and other Departments. I cannot predict what levels of staffing and expenditure would be right for the next five years.