HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 cc213-4W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual budget for his departmental deregulation unit; how many staff it employs; and of these how many(a) are career civil servants and of what grades, (b) have been seconded from business, and (c) have experience of the private sector. [30066]

Mr. Boswell

[holding answer 21 May 1996]: The 1995–96 annual budget for the MAFF deregulation unit covering pay and non-pay costs was approximately £96,000. The unit consists of four permanent members of staff, one at each of the following grades: grade 7, higher executive officer, executive officer and administrative assistant. In addition, there is involvement at more senior grades including the grade 5 head of division to whom the deregulation unit reports. All members of staff are career civil servants, none of whom has been seconded from the business sector. The grade 5 has some experience of the private sector through a non-executive directorship.