§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many civil servants were employed in the(a) Schools, (b) Lifelong Learning and (c) Youth Policy Directorates in each year since 1997. [141731]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 3 December 2003]: The numbers of civil servants employed in the Schools, Lifelong Learning and Youth Directorates as at 1 April for the years in question so far as the information is available are:
Directorate Schools1 Lifelong Learning2 Youth3 October 2003 969 906 0 April 2003 1,602 661 376 April 2002 1,385 681 336 April 2001 1,134 1,017 — April 2000 1,017 — — April 1999 913 — — April 1998 800 — — 1 The rise in School Directorate figures over the period is largely a result of additional responsibilities, for example, the creation of Sure Start and Children and Young Peoples' Unit. 2 Lifelong Learning Directorate was established in May 2000 drawing on staff from the previously existing Employment. Lifelong Learning and International, Further and Higher Education and Youth Training and Operations Directorates. 3 Youth Directorate was set up in September 2001 with staff from Lifelong Learning and Employment, Equality and International Relations Directorates. In October 2003, Youth Directorate ceased to exist and its responsibilities were transferred to other Directorates within the Department.