§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the cost of a quarter page display advertisement placed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the Evening Standard on 13 January seeking to fill three posts for a messenger, a paperkeeper and a reprographics officer; and why the Foreign and Commonwealth Office chose this recruitment route. [HL669]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The cost of the advertisement was £6,175.80. We were seeking to fill a number of vacancies in three areas of work (Messengers, Paperkeepers and Reprographics) and not just three individual posts. We also hope the advertisement will create a reserve list of suitable applicants to fill similar vacancies over the next 12 months.
11WAWe chose this recruitment route as it has proved successful in the past in attracting a wide range of suitable applicants.