§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many short fixed-term temporary staff have been employed by the social security office in Bathgate over any convenient period in the summer of the current year, and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement on the qualifications of such staff.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardPrior to 11 September 1989 no temporary staff were employed on a fixed-term contract basis at this office. In the period 11 September to 9 October up to nine such staff were employed at any one time. The recruits were offered fixed-term contracts, rather than permanent positions, in view of the need to reduce staffing levels in 1990 when major computerisation is introduced. Temporary staff on fixed-term contracts are required to have similar qualifications to those employed on a permanent basis.