To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants in her Department were recruited through the fast stream; and what the average salary of those officials is. (242264)

Over the past four years the Department has recruited the following numbers of people into the fast stream.

2007-08—12 new fast streamers (five external and seven in-service)

2006-07—34 new fast streamers (27 external and seven in-service)

2005-04—37 new fast streamers (31 external and six in-service)

2004-05—37 new fast streamers (27 external and 10 in-service)

The starting salaries of people joining the fast-stream as a Higher Executive Officer (Development) from outside the Home Office is as follows:

The fast stream is open to all staff between Administrative Assistant and Senior Executive Officer grades.

Statistics on intake into the fast stream as a whole are published annually on the Cabinet Office website. Copies are available in the Library for the reference of Members.