§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have taken place to levels of staffing within the Strategic Rail Authority and its shadow predecessor; what requirements on levels of staffing have been placed on the organisation; and how the organisation has reacted to such directions. [81742]
§ Mr. SpellarI refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 November 2002,Official Report, column 274W. The Authority reports on staff numbers in its annual report and accounts. Its 2001–02 report and accounts includes the following information:
Number of staff employed, excluding Board Members and Special Constables 31 March 2002 31 March 2001 Strategic Rail Authority 354 284 BRB (Residuary) Ltd 2 108 Rail Passengers' Council 57 49 British Transport Police 2,302 2,215 Total 2,765 2,656 The numbers for the British Transport Police exclude Special Constables, of which there were 73 as at 31 March 2002.
In addition, there were 11 Board Members (one executive, 10 non-executive) at 31 March 2002 and 121 members of the Rail Passengers' Council and Committees.
When it was established in July 1999 there were approximately 165 members of staff in the central shadow Strategic Rail Authority.