A recruitment competition for Conservation Rangers being run by the Public Appointments Service is currently at an advanced stage. A panel will be formed shortly and I have asked my Department to accelerate appointments from this panel, with the recruitment of a further 60 Rangers planned. The new appointees will be allocated to fill vacant positions throughout the country. Any appointments across the country made from this panel will take account of both the prevailing business needs and financial resources to meet pay costs in the context of Government policy on public sector pay and staffing.