HL Deb 23 February 2004 vol 658 c37WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many consultants and professional advisers were employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each of the years from 2000 to 2003. [HL1077]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

Defra was formed in June 2001. The Information requested cannot be provided as it is not held centrally. The department is in the process of compiling a central list for the future but this will take some time to complete and will not be retrospective.