To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many redundancies occurred in his Department over the last 12 months; how many were voluntary; and what was the total sum spent on redundancy payments. [34598]

[holding answer 14 July 1995]: There have been 33 redundancies in the Treasury over the past 12 months. All were voluntary.The costs are a mixture of benefits payable immediately—which may include compensation lump sum and/or pension—plus costs arising over a longer term—that is, the annual compensation to staff under the age of 60. The total immediate cost is about £1.4 million and the longer-term costs are about £2.2 million spread over the next 10 years.