§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed by the Department under the new deal for young people; and at what cost to public funds. [21313]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Out of five staff employed under the new deal, the Department has employed one person under the new deal for young people but there are currently no staff in post in this category. New deal recruits take up existing vacancies so extra costs are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may be needed. The cost of the subsidy to the Scotland Office was £2,860. The cost of training and development cannot readily be identified.