To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in which Departments Ministers have the power to designate posts as reserved to UK nationals; how many designations have been made by Ministers, broken down by department; and if she will make a statement. (129718)

Each Minister responsible for a Department has the authority to designate a post as reserved if it meets one of the categories set out in the European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 2007. If a post does not fall within these categories, then it is not capable of being reserved. The Cabinet Office will be collecting information in due course on the number of posts designated by Ministers as reserved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what estimate she has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of Civil Service posts that need to be reserved to UK nationals in the public interest; and if she will make a statement. (129719)

It is estimated that about 5 per cent. (27,000) of Civil Service posts will need to be reserved to UK nationals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many certificates under the Aliens' Employment Act 1955 permitting employment of aliens in the Civil Service are in force; how many there were in 2006-07; and in which Departments those holding such a certificate work. (129724)

Figures for 2006-07 are still to be finalised. For information on earlier years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 27 June 2006, Official Report, column 314W.