§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new public service jobs he estimates will be created in Scotland for those who will be employed by(a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the Scottish Executive. [40202]
§ Mr. DewarThe White PaperScotland's Parliament (Cm 3658, paragraphs 10.10 and 10.13) provisionally estimated that around 200 staff could be required by the Parliament, and that the Scottish Executive could need a small increase in staff over and above current Scottish Office staff numbers to deal with new responsibilities. These estimates remain the best current judgment, though work is under way to refine them in the light of progress in the Consultative Steering Group, which my hon. Friend chairs, and elsewhere. The precise staffing arrangements for the Scottish Executive cannot be determined until Executive Ministers are in place.