Departmental Manpower

Mr. Moore
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department work on programmes on (a) education, (b) health, (c) nutrition and (d) child protection; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Malik
Thematic programmes in the Department for International Development (DFID) are managed in a number of different ways, and by advisory and administrative staff based in geographical departments—both in the UK and across our network of over 50 offices overseas. Those staff do not necessarily work exclusively on any one programme, and they are in turn supported by staff in our central policy and research teams. DFID’s staff also contribute indirectly to the thematic programmes managed by the large multi-lateral donor organisations and non-governmental organisations.

The information requested is not therefore available at the level of detail required. However, as an indicator of the numbers involved, DFID currently employs 84 specialist health and education advisers, and a further 96 administrative and support staff whose job titles indicate that the management of health, education and related programmes forms a significant component of their work.