HC Deb 17 March 1999 vol 327 cc687-8W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Service Children's Education Agency; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the Service Children's Education Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76877]

Mr. Spellar

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Service Children's Education Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from David G. Wadsworth to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 17 March 1999: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Service Children's Education Agency as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency. Service Children's Education was created as a Defence Agency in April 1996. At that time there were 2,620 employees, broke down as 690 United Kingdom Based Teachers (UKBT), 180 locally engaged teachers (LET), 1,600 locally engaged civilians (LEC) and 150 Headquarters and support unit staff (HQ). There are currently 2,459 SCE personnel; 644 UKBTs, 177 UK Paid Teachers (UKPT), 1,517 LECs and 121 Headquarters and support unit staff, which includes Specialist Educational grades, MOD Defence Administration grades, LECs and 1 Military Warrant Officer—a total reduction of some 161 personnel. It should be noted that, since September 1998, SCE has taken on responsibility for the provision of four-year-old nursery education, with around 150 staff in 35 pre-schools worldwide; we also 'lost' catering and cleaning staff as a result of market testing with the result that the figure of 161 represents a 'net' reduction in numbers. The Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 were laid before the House on 30 July 1998. The publication costs of the Report were £3,810. This figure does not include the costs of staff involved in producing the Report, despatch and associated costs, which would be in the region of £15,000. In addition there is a notional charge by the National Audit Office for the auditing of the Accounts of £39,000.