§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her estimate is of the number of permanent staff in the Scotland Office in each year from 1999–2000 to 2003–04; if she will give the reasons underlying any change in staff numbers; and if she will make a statement. [90377]
§ Mrs. LiddellDetails of staff numbers from 1999–2000 to 2003–04 plans are set out in the Scotland Office Departmental Report 2002.
The Department was established in its current form on 1 July 1999. Since that time the Department has sought to recruit the staff it requires to meet its objectives and to carry out efficiently and effectively the work it is asked to do.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full time equivalent staff there were at the Scotland Office in each year since 1999–2000. [90446]
§ Mrs. LiddellDetails of staff numbers since 1999–2000 are set out in the Scotland Office Departmental Report for 2002.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to her answer of 19 December 2002, to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait),Official Report, column 915W, what the Scotland Office's (a) current staffing level and (b) full staffing level is; and when she expects her Department to reach its optimum staffing level. [91028]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 16 January 2003]My Department, which includes the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland, currently has 122 staff in post and we are planning to reach 130 staff during the course of 2003–04. Staffing levels are reviewed annually.