asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many posts in her Department at assistant secretary level are filled by members of the professional and scientific categories of civil servants and how many by members of the administration group.

Twenty-three assistant secretary posts in London are filled by members of the administration group, of whom two have transferred from the professional and scientific groups, and one is filled by a member of a professional group.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many of the development divisions in her Department are headed by members of the professional and scientific categories of Civil Service staff.

None of the five Development Divisions overseas is currently headed by a member of the professional or scientific categories of the Civil Service.