To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in her Department participated in (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. (131548)

The number of officers who took early retirement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on compensatory early retirement terms since 1997 are as follows:

We have not been able to identify the number of officers who departed involuntarily within these figures. To check individual records for this purpose would incur disproportionate cost. It is our policy to do all we can to avoid or minimise compulsory redundancies.

All the officers departed under the provisions of the civil service compensation schemes. As a result of the 2004 spending round we have carried out a restructuring exercise since 2004 to realise efficiency savings. This early retirement programme will enable us to reduce the size of the senior management structure in the FCO by 18 per cent. by 31 March 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in her Department who participated in (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 1997-98 were paid between (i) £0 to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if she will make a statement. (131553)

The following chart sets out the number of officers who have taken early retirement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for each year since 2002 and the cost to the FCO of their compensation:

We are unable to supply the requested information for the years 1997 to 2002; as this information is not readily available. To check individual records for this purpose, and to identify officers who may have taken involuntary early retirement, would incur disproportionate cost. It is our policy to do all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies.

The terms of the compensation we paid to these officers were those set out in the standard civil service compensation schemes. The amount is determined chiefly by age and pension entitlements.

As a result of the 2004 spending review we have carried out a restructuring exercise since 2004 to realise efficiency savings. This early retirement programme will enable us to reduce the size of the senior management structure in the FCO by 18 per cent. by 31 March 2008.