§ Mr. Amessasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many casual staff are employed in the Civil Service; what is the average length of service; and how many are subsequently taken on permanently.
§ Mr. HayhoeOn 1 April 1984 there were 7,420 casual staff employed in central Government Departments. Casual staff are employed to meet purely short-term needs; normally for periods up to six months, unless there are exceptional circumstances where the period of employment can be up to, but not exceeding, 12 months.
Information as to average length of service and the number subsequently taken on permanently is not held centrally; but could be drawn together only at disproportionate cost.