To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what average hourly rate was paid by her Department to each employment agency for staff employed through agencies in 2005-06. (81496)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses various agencies under the National Framework for Temporary Staff. The majority are employed at grade A2 (administrative officer) level. Although rates between agencies vary depending on the assignment, the three agencies most commonly used by the FCO are charged an average hourly rate of £13.74 in 2005-06.