§ 41. Mr. SteenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many officers of his Department are employed in Government task forces; and what is the cost.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFifty-nine officers of my Department are employed in the Government task forces of the inner cities initiative. This number includes staff on loan from other Departments who are paid by mine. In addition, there are staff from other Departments, from the voluntary and private sectors, and from local authorities, most of whom are paid for wholly or in part by their parent bodies. The task force running costs borne by the Government are approximately £1 million for the current financial year.