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Lib Dems attack Scotland Office costs Print E-mail
Thursday, 02 August 2007

The Liberal Democrats have attacked staffing levels at the Scotland Office after research revealed that 20 policy officers were employed to deal with correspondence from MPs and peers amounting to 39 letters in one year.

Lib Dem shadow secretary Alistair Carmichael said the figures showed “indefensible” levels of over-staffing at the office. He compared the Scotland Office’s correspondence workload to the 288 letters from MPs and Peers sent to the Planning Inspectorate and the 68 sent to the Rural Development Service, both far smaller bodies.

Carmichael said:

“As tensions between Westminster and Holyrood grow, the Scotland Office appears to be more concerned with hosting soirées than communicating with Edinburgh. Employing twenty staff to write an average of two official letters each year is indefensible. The Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Offices should merge to create a Department for Nations and Regions, with a full time seat at the Cabinet table.”

One person has commented on this article.
1. Lib Dems attack Scotland Office costs
MK, Unregistered
Given that the Lib Dems shared power with the Labour Party in Scotland - why has it taken until now for them to notice this? Having said that - the same principle applies to MPs - why do we need so many when most issues are devolved? Westminster should have English MPs dealing with English issues and on UK issues, each devolved administration should vote and their views fed back proportionately to make UK decisions.
Posted 2007-08-02 14:42:23
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 August 2007 )
 
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