To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the ratio was of officials employed in her Department to people employed in manufacturing in the UK in (a) 1998 and (b) 2004.

The DTI headcount as a proportion of those employed in the manufacturing sector was 0.14 per cent. in 1998 and 0.2 per cent. in 2004. But the DTI's remit covers the whole economy, and as a proportion of total employment the DTI's share remains broadly unchanged at 0.02 per cent. This is despite taking on additional responsibilities and meeting increased demand for our services.