HC Deb 14 March 1977 vol 928 c26W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is currently the average time that an assistant Under-Secretary remains in the same post in each Government Department.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The average length by Department of all Under-Secretary postings which terminated between 1st January 1976 and the present day, together with all posting still continuing is:

Years Months
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food 3 1
Civil Service Department 2 5
Ministry of Defence 2 5
Department of Education and Science 2 8
Department of Employment Group 3 3
Department of the Environment and Transport 2 3
Department of Health and Social Security 2 10
Home Office 2 9
Inland Revenue 3 11
Departments of Trade and Industry Group (including Department of Energy) 2 9
Scottish Office 2 9
Treasury 2 2
All other Departments 2 11

Since present postings are included, these figures underestimate the lengths of tours in individual posts.