§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants he has in his Department of under-secretary rank and above; and how many of them are qualified scientists or engineers.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsIn the Northern Ireland Office there are five civil servants of under-secretary rank and above, none of whom is a qualified scientist or engineer.
I am also responsible for the departments of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in which there are some 26 civil servants of under-secretary rank and above in the administration group, of whom four hold degrees in science-based subjects.