To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department paid in fees to recruitment agencies for (a) temporary and (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997. (151683)

In 2004-05, the cost of fees to recruitment agencies for temporary staff was £2,485,158. In 2005-06, the cost was £2,585,392 and in 2006-07, it was £2,076,348. The cost of temporary staff via recruitment agencies for 2007 to date is £2,210,740.

Information for fees paid in other financial years from 1997 through to 2004 for temporary staff and in each year since 1997 for permanent staff is not collected in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.