HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 c864W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Ships Support Agency; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the Ships Support Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76876]

Mr. Doug Henderson

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from J. D. Coles to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 19 March 1999: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State about the number of people currently employed by the Ships Support Agency, and at its inception; and about the date on which the Agency's report for 1997–98 was published and the cost of its production, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency. On 31 January 1999, the number of people employed by the Ships Support Agency was 2,903 (2,460 civilian and 443 military). When the Agency launched in December 1996 its strength was 2,810 (2,450 civilian and 360 military). The Agency's Annual Report for 1997–98 was placed in the Library of the House on 29 July 1998. External printing of the Report cost £3,393. All production work was undertaken by Agency internal resources.