To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff from overseas have been (a) seconded and (b) attached to the Valuation Office Agency in each of the last five years, broken down by country and agency of origin. (142357)

The Valuation Office Agency has taken a total of three staff from overseas on secondment during 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 as follows:

7 November 2005 to 4 May 2006: One secondee from Australia, Australian Valuation Office;

3 July 2006 to 31 December 2006: One secondee from Hong Kong, Hong Kong Valuation Office;

10 April 2007 to 9 October 2007: One secondee from Hong Kong, Hong Kong Valuation Office.

The Valuation Office Agency is unable to provide any further information about any such secondments for earlier financial years without incurring disproportionate costs.

No overseas staff have been attached to the Valuation Office Agency in the last five years.