§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are currently employed in the railways directorate (railways 1 and railways 2), and in the offices of the shadow regulator and shadow franchising director including seconded and part-time staff; and how many will be employed in these areas, including the offices of the regulator and the franchising director, in each of the next two years, identifying the number of staff in grades 1 to 7 as well as the total number of staff.
§ Mr. FreemanAt present there are 124 staff in these areas, including special advisers on regulation and franchising and supporting staff. Of these, 45 staff are in grade 7 or above; five are seconded; and five are part time. Budgets and staff for the next two years have not been decided. Estimates of the running costs and manpower of the franchising director and the regulator, and their staff, were contained in the explanatory and financial memorandum to the Railways Bill.