HC Deb 11 September 2003 vol 410 cc418-9W
Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for the Scotland Office in each year since 1996. [1264741

Mrs. McGuire

The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999.

Details of staff numbers which cover permanent staff, including press officers, are given in Table C of the annual publication. "Civil Service Statistics". Copies of this publication are available from the Libraries of both Houses.

The Department employed three special advisers in 1999–2000 and 2000–01, one of whom was unpaid; and two special advisers in 2001–02 and 2002–03.

The Department does not employ any staff as advisers to civil servants.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department have been transferred to new responsibilities within the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [127847]

Mrs. McGuire

The staff of the Scotland Office transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 12 June. They have retained their existing responsibilities.