HC Deb 09 December 2002 vol 396 cc130-1W
Ms Shipley

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many registered architects, planners and urban designers are employed in (a) each of the Government Offices for the Regions and (b) his Department. [85186]

Mr. McNulty

58 staff currently in post with Government offices have satisfied the requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for membership, and include one dual qualified architect/planner. (East of England and West Midlands each have three, East Midlands five, North West six, Yorkshire and the Humber seven, South West and London each have eight, North East and South East each have nine.)

Our latest information (Autumn 2002) shows that 24 staff within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have satisfied the requirements of the RTPI for professional membership.

Information on staff with other professional qualifications is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are also 93 active inward secondments to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, many of whom have professional backgrounds.