§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reason was for the increase in his Department's staff numbers between 1996–97 and 2001. [161126]
§ Mr. ByersThe figures published in the DTI's March Expenditure Plans Report show DTI actual staff numbers of 9,640 in 1996–97 and an estimated figure of 10,324 for 2000–01 This represents an increase of 684 staff (or 7 per cent.) over four years, principally reflecting caseload increases in demand-led activities:
ACAS, a Non-Departmental Public Body which by convention counts towards DTI's staff numbers although it is not part of DTI. Staff numbers have increased by 210 (or 34 per cent.) from 614 in 1996–97 to 824 in 2000–01. Over the same period, caseloads have increased significantly with the number of individual conciliation cases received—one of ACAS's principal activities—rising by 45 per cent. from 77,481 to an estimated 112,000 and the number of inquiries handled growing by 71 per cent. from 439,943 to an estimated 753,000.
The Employment Tribunal Service, a DTI agency. Staff have increased by 91 (or 15 per cent.) from 621 in 1996–97 to 712 in 2000–01. Over the same period, employment tribunal applications rose by 46 per cent. from 88,910 to an estimated 130,000.
The Patent Office, a Trading Fund agency which meets all its outgoings from receipts. Staff numbers have increased by 167 (or 23 per cent.) from 729 in 1996–97 to 896 in 2000–01. Over the same period, caseloads in the agency's main areas of work grew significantly. Between the calendar years 1996 and 2000, patent applications 440W increased by 15.7 per cent. from 27,143 to 31,412 while trade mark applications (including for additional classes) rose by 41.2 per cent. from 71,463 to 100,902.
In addition, smaller increases have occurred at two other DTI agencies: the Insolvency Service (35 staff, about 2 per cent.) and Companies House (34 staff, about 4 per cent.).
Nearly all of the remainder is accounted for by an increase of 141 staff across the Department's headquarters and central services and the Small Business Service. The paybill has fallen by 4.6 per cent. in real terms between 1996–97 and the estimate for 2000–01, from £239 million in 1996–97 to £251 million estimated for 2000–01.