To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible. [107653]

It is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy to support flexible working both in the United Kingdom and where possible at our posts overseas. Jobs are open to flexible working unless the nature of the work prevents this.We have a number of flexible working patterns in use at present including staggered hours, flexi-time, compressed hours, home working, school working hours, term time working and time off in lieu. Within the flexi-time scheme the core hours are 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.30 to 16.00 in London and 09.30 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 at Hanslope Park. We currently have 142 part time staff—an increase of 35 per cent. since last year.