§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many members of staff are employed by the Strategic Policy Team; [48532]
(2)when the Strategic Policy Team was established; [48530]
(3)what the cost of the Strategic Policy Team was in the last 12 months; [48531]
(4)what the remit is of the Strategic Policy Team. [48408]
§ Mr. BlunkettThe Strategic Policy Team was established in August 2000. Its role is to support Ministers and the Home Office Board by developing overall strategy, and individual policies and cross cutting work. Estimated outturn operating costs in 2001–02 were £0.9 million. The Strategic Policy Team is a mix of civil servants, secondees and a small number of people with specialist skills on short-term contracts. There are usually between 20 and 25 members in post.