Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Manpower

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 1032W, how many staff in his Department are receiving full salaries without being allocated work.

Answer: As at 5 November 2008, there were some 525 MOD civil servants who were in the civilian redeployment pool because their substantive posts had reached an end, or because they were returning from overseas or extended absence. A further 446 were in the redeployment pool because their posts were due to end within six months. Those staff receive preferential consideration for posts. While in the redeployment pool, staff whose substantive posts have ended remain in their posts, for which they continue to receive their normal salaries. They continue to be funded and managed by their previous management, who assist them with their development and job search and employ them on appropriate temporary tasks. As I explained in my answer on 21 October, Official Report, column 191W, while there may exceptionally be occasions where such temporary work is not available, that situation is continuously changing and is not recorded centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 483 c497-8W; 234420
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Departmental Sick Leave
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Staff Ministry of Defence
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk