Regrettably, I do not have the figure for my Department but I think I have given it here quite recently. There is a large number of unfilled posts in my Department because people from different grades have left. Overall, we have had a number of conversations and plans with the Civil Service Commission. It has upped and changed quite a large number of its positions. The former secretary to the Government, Mr. Murray, on retirement moved in to assist in the efforts. It has revamped a number of procedures for filling posts to quicken up the process. It has held a large number of competitions to fill the posts.
Having said that, last year I think movement across Departments was far higher but, equally, the number of vacancies across Departments increased in line with the people leaving in recent years. That will continue this year. Until 1998, there would have been competitions for most grades in the Civil Service every third year and, in some cases, every fifth year. In recent years, there has been a competition every year and that, in itself, has put pressure on the whole organisation. The Civil Service Commissioners are conscious of their obligations to try to create panels and to quickly recruit people to the additional posts. I also have that problem and there is a large number of posts in my Department, particularly at the lower end scales.