To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been invested by his Department and its associated public bodies in order to achieve Gershon efficiency savings; whether these costs have been included in reporting headline efficiency savings; and if he will make a statement. (108350)

Sir Peter Gershon’s independent report into public sector efficiency did not require that efficiencies be recorded net of upfront investment costs and the Northern Ireland Office has followed this advice. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.