To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil service posts in each department have been designated as reserved posts. (144128)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 28 March 2007, Official Report, column 1621W.

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. (144129)

The total number of aliens’ certificates in force during 2006-07 was 66.

The Departments and agencies employing aliens and the numbers of aliens’ certificates in force during 2006-07 were:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether posts in HM Revenue and Customs concerned with the collection of taxes are considered to be in the public service and thus restricted posts to European Economic Area nationals; and if she will make a statement. (144130)

With very few exceptions, posts in HM Revenue and Customs concerned with the collection of taxes are not considered to be public service posts and are therefore open to applicants from the European Economic Area.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil service posts are reserved to UK nationals; how many she estimates it is operationally necessary so to reserve; and if she will make a statement. (144131)

It is estimated that 27,000 civil service posts are currently reserved to UK nationals under the criteria specified on the face of the European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 2007. They are all operationally necessary as a post cannot be reserved if it does not fall within these criteria.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of civil service posts in the UK are (a) available to Commonwealth, Irish and European Economic Area nationals and (b) designated as public service posts entirely reserved for UK nationals. (144132)

It is estimated that 95 per cent. of all civil service posts are available to Commonwealth, Irish and European Economic Area nationals following the European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 2007. The remainder, designated as public service posts, are reserved for UK nationals.