§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, respectively, are employed in the Office of the Executive; in what manner it operates, as a central secretariat; and what are its policy coordinating functions.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe figures for United Kingdom and Northern Ireland civil servants, respectively, are none and 25—including part-time typing and clerical staff. The Office of the Executive provides the secretariat for the Secretary of State's Executive Committee and for the Economic Council as well as for a number of inter-departmental committees and working parties. It assists in coordinating the activities of the Northern Ireland Departments. It is also responsible for the budget of the Northern Ireland information services and for the operation of the Central Appointments Unit.
Mr. Greville Fannerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the proportion of female to male employees in senior grades in his Department.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThere are one female and 47 male United Kingdom civil servants, and two female and 28 male Northern Ireland civil servants in senior grades in the Northern Ireland Office.
In addition there are 13 female and 346 male senior Northern Ireland civil servants employed in the eight Northern Ireland Departments, for which I have overall responsibility.