§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regional crime reduction directors have been appointed in total; when each director was appointed; what the pay scale is for regional crime reduction directors; and what is the total additional(a) cost to date and (b) projected cost to public funds of the appointment of regional crime reduction directors. [118082]
§ Mr. StrawThe recruitment of regional crime reduction directors is still in train but the appointment of nine directors in England, and a tenth post in Wales is expected to be made over the next three months. The salary range for the posts is £40,000–£60,000 and starting salary will depend upon relevant skills and experience. The main cost to date has been the placing of advertisements in the national press and consultancy costs for organising the processing and sifting of the applications: these amount to £46,000. The directors will be located in the existing Government Offices for the Regions or in offices for the National Assembly for Wales. In addition to the salary costs, the accommodation, Information Technology, secretarial support and other overhead costs would be about £300,000 in a full year.