To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Answer of 18 June 2008, Official Report, column 962W, on departmental personnel, what the current figure is for staff without posts in her Department and its agencies; how many of the staff without posts were classified as such on returning from maternity leave; and how many of the staff without posts have been classified as such for at least (a) six months and (b) 12 months. (250540)

The position as at 31 December 2008 is shown in the following table.

The 39 members of staff classified as being without posts represents 0.15 per cent. of the total Home Office workforce.

These staff are currently undertaking work for the Department while a new post is actively sought, either within the Home Office and its agencies, or in another Government Department.