To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the War Pensions Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119291]

The Veterans Agency, formerly the War Pensions Agency, currently employs 959 staff, 16 of whom work in Scotland.The personnel costs of the Agency for 2001–02 are contained in the Agency Annual Report and Accounts which is available in the House Library. The Annual Report and Accounts for 2002–03 is expected to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess and will contain the appropriate information.