§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Attorney General, what is the establishment and staff in post in each grade of the Serious Fraud Office in each year of its existence, together with the number of cases referred to it.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Serious Fraud Office was established on 6 April 1989. On 31 March 1989, the final day of the financial year 1988-89, the position was as follows:
Grade Establishment Staff in post 2 1 1 3 2 2 5 10 9 6 18 13 7 5 5 Senior Executive Officer 5 6 Higher Executive Officer 10 8 Executive Officer 8 7 Administrative Officer 3 1 Administrative Assistant 2 0 Senior Personal Secretary 1 1 Personal Secretary 4 5 Typing Manager 0 1 Typist 6 0 Support Manager 3 1 1 Support Grade 2 3 0 Of those staff in post, one higher executive officer was on loan from the Crown prosecution service. There were in addition to the figures shown 29 agency staff employed on a temporary basis.
The position to 1 June 1989 in the financial year 1989–90 was follows:
Grade Complement Staff in Post 2 1 1 3 2 2 5 10 10 6 18 13 7 5 5 Senior Executive Officer 6 6 Higher Executive Officer 11 8 Executive Officer 9 8 Administrative Officer 3 2 Administrative Assistant 2 0 Senior Personal Secretary 1 1 Personal Secretary 6 5 Typing Manager 1 1 Typist 12 0 Support Manager 3 1 1 Support Grade 2 4 1 Total 92 64 Of those staff in post, one higher executive officer was still on loan from the Crown prosecution service. Three of the four grade 5 accountants currently in post are seconded from private practice. There are in addition 29 agency staff employed on a temporary basis.
In the period 6 April 1988, when the Serious Fraud Office was established, to 31 December 1988, 109 separate cases were referred to it for consideration. This number includes some matters which have previously been dealt with by the Crown prosecution service. From 1 January 1989 to date 28 separate cases have been referred.