§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what staff, and at what grades(a) from A division and (b) from any division, deal with constitutional issues; and what is their work programme for the year.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerWithin A division of the Home Office, some of the duties of a total of 10 staff variously at grade 5, grade 7, higher executive officer, executive officer and administrative officer concern constitutional issues, excluding staff and duties concerned with the constitutional relationship with the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Their work programme is to provide advice and support on the exercise of certain prerogative powers and other royal matters, on Church matters, on overall policy concerning human rights, including the United Kingdom's obligations under international human rights instruments and other related matters. In D division of the Home Office, staff effort equivalent to five full-time staff variously at grade 5, grade 7, HEO and EO is devoted to electoral matters. Their work programme is to continue to support my right hon. and learned Friend in the exercise of his statutory functions in relation to electoral matters. In this work, these staff have as necessary the assistance of numerous colleagues in the Home Office.