§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes will take place in European Union staff numbers as a result of enlargement; what changes were originally forecast; what is the average length of service of those receiving redundancy; how the cost of redundancy is related to length of service; and what is the average length of service of those receiving redundancy per head in respect of(a) permanent staff, (b) temporary staff, (c) professional staff and (d) clerical and other staff. [10347]
§ Mr. David Davis[holding answer 22 January 1996]: On 1 January 1995, the EU enlarged to 15 member states with the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. Many of the new posts created as a result have not yet been filled. The final changes as a result of enlargement are therefore not yet known.
The forecast staff numbers are agreed by the Council in the budget. The table lists the successive budgets which have increased staff numbers, at least in part as a result of enlargement.
redundant. However, the programme is open only to "fonctionnaires"—permanent staff —with more than 10 years' service, and "agents temporaire"—on fixed-term contracts—with more than 15 years' service. The minimum age for fonctionnaires to be eligible for the scheme is 55. For agents temporaire, it is 50.
The cost of redundancy is not related to the length of service. Redundant staff receive 70 per cent. of their basic 629W pay until the age of 65, or until they are entitled to receive a full pension, whichever is earlier.