§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in(a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123429]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 24 May 2000]: The information for staff seconded from my Department to private sector companies for the periods specified is as follows:
(a) For May 1997 to April 1998, one Grade A (Grade 7 equivalent) secondment since September 1997 which is still on-going.
(b) For May 1998 to April 1999, two Grade C staff (EO equivalent) secondments since May 1998 for two years and six months respectively.
(c) For May 1999 to April 2000, one Grade A secondment since May 1999 for a period of 3 years.
All secondments were to the New Millennium Experience Company.
Information on secondments of staff into the Department was provided in my answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) on 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 100W.