To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department paid to recruitment agencies for the hire of temporary staff in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. (110503)

Since its formation in June 2001 until July 2006, the Department's business units made their own arrangements to engage temporary staff. Therefore information about payments to recruitment agencies during this period is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Since July 2006, the Department has engaged temporary staff via a centralised framework agreement. From July to December 2006, the Department has spent £216,574 through this framework.