HC Deb 27 April 2004 vol 420 c863W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of recruitment of civil servants for the Department was in each financial year since 1996–97, broken down by(a) delegated or contracted out recruitment procedures and (b) recruitment procedures carried out by the Department. [158187]

Alun Michael

Defra was created in June 2001 so information for Defra can only be given from that date.

Given the structure of the Human Resources function within the Department prior to 1 April 2004 the information requested is available only at disproportionate cost. From 1 April this year recruitment and selection activity will be undertaken by a central HR Resource Centre.

Recruitment procedures used to bring in staff to Defra may vary depending on several factors including the number, grades and/or locations of vacancies and any specialisms involved.