§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the budget is for the Commission for Africa, broken down by(a) staffing costs, (b) consultancy costs, (c) communication costs, (d) expenses and (e) other available budget headings. [172562]
§ Hilary BennThe budget for the Commission for Africa will not be finally agreed until Commissioners have drawn up their work plans in consultation with the Commission for Africa Secretariat. This will take place over the coming month. Following these discussions the overall budget may increase and the allocation between budget headings change. The current breakdown over 14 months is:
- (a) staffing costs (including salaries, staff travel, training and office costs): £1,115,000;
- (b) consultancy costs: currently there is no budget heading covering consultancies, but we plan to use the £700,000 originally earmarked for Commissioners' staff for this purpose;
- (c) communication costs: currently there is no budget heading covering communication costs, though we have allocated £20,000 for the production of the final report;
- (d) expenses: staff travel is included within the staffing costs budget heading. The allocation for Commissioners' travelling expenses is £144,000;
- (e) Consultation meetings across Africa and elsewhere on the work of the Commission: £1,200,000;
- (f) Commission meeting costs (venue hire, meal booking, press conference costs, transcription, vehicle hire, security): £240,000.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how many people the Commission for Africa will employ when it is fully staffed; [172563]
(2) how many people the Commission for Africa employs. [172561]
§ Hilary BennThe Secretariat to the Commission for Africa currently consists of 14 full-time members of staff and is looking to recruit up to six more people over the next month, which will bring the staff total to 20. More staff may be recruited over the coming year to undertake expert analysis.