To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were employed by her Department on 1 January of each of the last five years; and how many of these staff were (a) permanent employees, (b) temporary staff and (c) contractors. (124003)

The numbers of permanent and temporary civil servants (full-time equivalents) employed by the Department on 1 January in each of the last three years are as follows:

1 January 2007: 2,256 permanent, 45 temporary;

1 January 2006: 2,323 permanent, 72 temporary; and

1 January 2005: 2,341 permanent, 73 temporary.

Figures for 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2003 are not available.

The number of contractors and agency staff (full-time equivalents) working for the Department on 1 January 2007 was 230.

Figures for 1 January for the years 2003-06 are not available.