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Mr. Norman
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many inspection staff have been employed by the Audit Commission responsible for inspecting local authorities in each year since 1997. [100509]
Mr. Leslie
The number of staff employed in the Audit Commission's inspection directorate, including inspectors and direct support staff, by Audit Commission financial year (1 November—31 October), is as follows:
| Number of stuff employed | |
| 1996–1997 | Nil |
| 1997–1998 | 4 |
| 1998–1999 | 18 |
| 1999–2000 | 73 |
| 2000–2001 | 324 |
| 2001–2002 | 438 |
| 2002–2003 | 400 (budget) |