HC Deb 07 May 2003 vol 404 cc759-60W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from the private sector, in each case listing(a) from which organisation and (b) dates of secondments in (i) 2001–02 and (ii) 2002–03. [108099]

Hilary Benn

Secondments are part of the Interchange initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange provides opportunities for civil servants to learn new skills, widen their experience and develop ideas. It also brings in skills and experiences from other sectors

Details of staff seconded from the private sector to the Home Department are listed in the table. Data for 2002–03 is provisional. Final figures will be available later in the year.

Name of organisation Number of staff Duration
Apri12001 to March 2002
Not listed 1 Not listed
BT 1 15 March 2002
to 4 March 2003
April 2002 to March 2003
BT 1 15 March 2002 to present
Bates Wells & Braithwaite Solicitors 1 27 January 2003 to present

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from NGOs in each case listing(a) from which organisation and (b) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98.[108100]

Hilary Benn

Secondments are part of the Interchange initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved. Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange provides opportunities for civil servants to learn new skills, widen their experience and develop ideas. It also brings in skills and experiences from other sectors.

Full details of organisations and dates are not held centrally. Available data on inward secondments is listed in the table. Data for 2002–03 is not yet available.

Total number of staff on inward secondment to the Home Office
1997–98 20
1998–99 25
1999–2000 30
2000–01 21
2001–02 44