asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the number of staff in his Department in each rank from and including assistant secretary upwards.

On 1st October 1976 there were 43 staff at the level of Under-Secretary and above, including senior professional officers as follows:

	Number
Permanent Secretary	1
Deputy Secretary	8
Under-Secretary	34

There were 70 officers in the Administration Group, one of Middle Executive Directing Grade and 69 Assistant Secretaries. In addition there were 77 officers of the professional technological, science and other groups with a salary maximum at or above the maximum of the Assistant Secretary scale.