§ Mr. LawsTo ask the President of the Council for what reasons there was a change in staffing of the Privy Council Office between 1998–99 and 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [99889]
§ Mr. Robin CookThe following Privy Council Office staffing figures are taken from the civil service staff in post statistics published by the Cabinet Office (http:// civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/publications/htm) and the additional information requested is provided in the following table:
Privy Council Office (PCO) staffing Date of published figures Number of full-time equivalent permanent staff1 Commentary April 1999 30 — April 2000 30 Lord Privy Seal's Office transferred to Cabinet Office. Parliamentary Secretary and staff appointed. April 2001 402 Additional staff appointed to support Ministers; manage new accommodation; strengthen corporate services so as to manage central initiatives; and administer Judicial Committee's devolution and human rights jurisdictions. April 2002 40 — 1These figures exclude casual and temporary staff. 2This figures includes staff increases authorised in the previous financial year, which were initially covered by casual and temporary staff.