§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are currently employed in the reporters branch of the Scottish Development Department; and if he will give the comparable figure for the last 10 years for which information is available.
Lord James Douglas Hamilton[holding answer 19 July 1988]: The Scottish Office inquiry reporters unit currently has a staff of 27, comprising 12 reporters and 15 support staff. There are no vacancies. In addition, there is a panel of 15 part-time fee-paid reporters who can be called upon to assist in a limited range of casework. The staff-in-post figures at 1 July in each of the last 10 years are as follows: