To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are currently employed (a) full time and (b) part time by his Department on civil defence; what the total costs of employing staff on civil defence duties were in 1989–90; what the total costs of employing staff on civil defence duties are expected to be in 1990–91; and whether he has any plans for these staff to be transferred to work on other duties.

The information requested is as follows:

	Number
Full-time staff employed on 16 November 1990	4
Part-time staff employed on 16 November 1990	5

	£
Total cost 1989–90	140,650
Estimated total cost 1990–91	147,000

My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced on 16 October that he had initiated a review of the options for the future of civil defence arrangements in England and Wales in the light of east-west relations. When the outcome of that review is known the implications for Northern Ireland, including staffing levels, will be considered.