To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year. (101044)

Bonuses prior to April 2004 were paid through the National Assembly for Wales’ systems. In 2003-04, 25 staff received bonuses in relation to significant achievements in 2002-03, and two staff for achievements in 2003-04. These bonuses totalled £10,800.

No bonus payments were made in 2004-05. In the 2005-06 financial year, one member of staff received a bonus payment of £300 before tax. In the current financial year three members of staff have received bonuses. All of the bonuses together came to £862.30 before tax, and the largest single payment was £362.30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria a civil servant in his Department must fulfil (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and (b) to be awarded a bonus. (101045)

The Wales Office operates the Department for Constitutional Affairs bonus scheme. This gives the opportunity to recognise and reward exceptional performance on specific tasks by individuals and teams, i.e. performance above and beyond what could normally be expected of the individual in fulfilling their normal duties. This may include a one-off action, a contribution over a period of time or an exceptional one-off performance where it turns out to be particularly challenging.

Any member of staff can be nominated by their manager for a bonus, which is then considered by a panel drawn from the Wales Office Management Board—excluding the direct line manager of any nominee—who can award the bonus.