§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants are currently employed(a) full time and (b) part time by his Department on civil defence; what the total costs of employing staff on civil defence duties were in 1989–90; what the total costs of employing staff on civil defence duties are expected to be in 1990–91; and whether he has any plans for these staff to be transferred to work on other duties.
Mr. JacksonWork in the Department of Employment on civil defence is carried out within guidelines laid down by the Government. The work is done by staff, both in London and in regional offices, who also have other duties; it is estimated that the total effort devoted to emergency planning is equivalent to about four full-time staff. The work cost some £108,000 in the 1989–90 financial year; this figure is expected to rise to £109,000 in the 1990–91 financial year. I have no plans to change the duties of the staff currently employed on this work.