§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list by grade the number of officials in her Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27453]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 5 February 1998]: Since 1 May, the Regional Director for the North East has taken early retirement. Most Senior Civil Servants have taken leave during that period, but we do not keep central records. None has been dismissed. There have been ten staff moves within the department involving posts at or above a level equivalent to what was formerly Grade 3. These have all been routine moves for career development or operational reasons (for example because a post has been abolished or a new one created). There have also been two loans and one permanent transfer at that level to other Government Departments; one case was because of Machinery of Government changes; the others involved progression to more senior levels in the Senior Civil Service. Moves at this level are the subject of discussion with individuals and their line managers during which it is normal for a number of options to be considered.