§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002. [106736]
§ Clare ShortWe have two full time union officials—one in each of our UK offices. Paid leave is also granted to several other union officials at both locations. This totals to approximately the equivalent of one additional full time member of staff. The cost for the 2002–03 financial year was approximately £64,640 (based on the average cost of staff at those grades). We have no agencies or public bodies with staff in this category.