HC Deb 28 March 1994 vol 240 cc540-2W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 699, what is his definition of a man year.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A man year is the amount of time spent per year by a person doing entry clearance officer work. It is based on a standard formula which take account of time not available because of public holidays, leave, sickness, etcetera. It includes also the time of staff on temporary duty, such as summer seasonal relief.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answers of 16 March,Official Report, columns 699–700, if he will make a statement on the reasons for entry clearance officers at posts overseas being instructed to reply direct to letters from solicitors in the United Kingdom, but not to reply direct to letters received from hon. Members.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As I explained in my letter of 7 July 1993 to hon. Members, the migration and visa correspondence unit was established specifically to handle MPs' inquiries about entry clearance matters; and to ensure

Number of men employed Number of women employed
full-time part-time full-time part-time
Open structure
Grade 2 1
Grade 3 3 1
Grade 4 1
Grade 5 56 9 2
Grade 6 94 8
Grade 7 291 9 55 3
Occupational groups
Senior Executive Officer 72 1 21 2
Higher Executive Officer (D) 3
Higher Executive Officer 162 1 79 9
Executive Officer 242 1 170 32
Administrative Officer 289 2 397 40
Administrative Assistant 66 50 3
Senior Economic Assistant 2
Economic Assistant 1
Senior Information Officer 5 6
Information Officer 11 20
Assistant Information Officer 5 5
Senior Librarian 3
Librarian 6
Assistant Librarian 5 13
Museum Curatorial Grade D 2
Museum Curatorial Grade E 1
Museum Curatorial Grade F 2
Senior P and T Officer 43 2
Higher P and T Officer 48 1
P and T Officer 19
Technical Grade 1 8
Higher Mapping and Charting Officer 1
Mapping and Charting Officer 1
Mapping and Charting Technical Grade 1 1
Typing Manager 9 1
Personal Secretary 139 13
Typist 1 71 12
Senior Scientific Officer 64 17
Higher Scientific Officer 39 23
Scientific Officer 22 12 1
Assistant Scientific Officer 9 13
Catering Manager 1 1
Catering Manager 2 1
Catering Manager 3 2 1
Higher Photographic Officer 1
Photographic Officer 1
Higher Graphics Officer 1
Graphics Officer 1
Dep Reg Vet Officer 2
Agricultural Officer 1 18 1
Agricultural Officer 2 5
P & GS Grade B 3
P & GS grade C 5
P & GS Grade D 9
P & GS Grade E 11
Stores Officer Grade B 1
Stores Officer Grade C 1 1
Stores Officer Grade D 5

more effective and efficient handling of such inquiries which had previously been subject to the risk of delay or of overseas mail going astray. MPs' representations are thus accorded priority at all times. Resource constraints preclude letters from others, such as solicitors, being given the same level of service.

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