§ Lord Wallace of Saltaireasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total staff of the UK Immigration Service at the end of 1997, as compared with 1987, 1977 and 1967, and what will be the number on current plans in 1999. [HL443]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:The total staff of the Immigration Service was 3,117 at the end of 1997. At the end of the financial year to 31 March 1988, the figure was 1,856. The two figures are not, however, directly comparable because a reorganisation in 1991 resulted in the service assuming responsibility for some work previously undertaken elsewhere in the Immigration and Nationality Department, together with the associated staff. Figures for 1967, 1977 and the end of the 1987 calendar year are not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
On current plans, the average number of Immigration Service staff affordable in the financial year to 31 March 1999 will be 2,957. No projection of affordable staff beyond 31 March 1999 can be given because a budget for the financial year to 31 March 2000 has not yet been set.