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Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 July 2006. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 4 September 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Departmental Employees (Criminal Activity)

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of her Department's employees have been (a) dismissed, (b) suspended and (c) subject to disciplinary action for criminal activity in each year since 1997.
Answer

We do not keep records which show specifically when criminal activity may have been a reason for disciplinary proceedings to be instigated. Members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can be dismissed for gross misconduct because they have failed to adhere to staff regulations which form part of the terms and conditions of service. The total number of UK based staff who were dismissed for reasons of misconduct, but not necessarily involving criminal activity, are as follows:

Number
1997 —
1998 —
1999 —
2000 —
2001 1
2002 1
2003 5
2004 2
2005 2
2006 to date 3

We do not keep historical data of staff who have been suspended. The current position is that there are three members of staff suspended from duty.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
88454; 449 c2042-3W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Civil servants Dismissal Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk