To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have (a) been dismissed and (b) had their contract terminated by his Department in each of the last five years; what the reason was in each case; and what the severance costs in relation to (i) dismissal and (ii) contract termination were in each such year. (290443)

In each of the last five years, less than five individuals have been dismissed from the core Department.

In each of the last five years, less than five non-permanent workers have been terminated for reasons other than the completion of the work under their contract.

Exact figures are not provided and related information suppressed on confidentiality grounds.